Protect frontline services, say nurses

Published: 25 May 2010

For immediate release: Monday 24th May 2010

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today responded to the announcement by the Chancellor George Osborne that £6.2 billion of savings will be made from Government spending in 2010-11:

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:

“We have previously welcomed the news that health funding will be ring-fenced, but it is vitally important that we see more details as soon as possible. We have long been aware of waste in some areas of government, including the NHS, and it is right that spending is rigorously examined.

“We also recognise that if other public bodies and local government are facing cutbacks, then the health service must be equipped to deal with any unintended consequences and the additional demands placed on it. Wherever cuts have to be made, the front line services which people depend on day in, day out, must be protected.

“The RCN is striving to find ways in which the health service can work more efficiently while protecting high quality patient care. We have already established that services such as specialist nursing can save money by improving care for people with long term conditions. Nurses will want to work constructively with the government to ensure that frontline services are protected.”

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Notes for Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.