RCN calls on healthcare community to embrace Nursing Commission vision

Published: 02 March 2010

The RCN today (2 March) welcomed the report of the Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in England, and urged all parties involved in healthcare policy and delivery to act immediately to ensure its vision becomes a reality.

 Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

“Today’s report marks a milestone for nursing and will direct how the profession evolves to ensure patients continue to receive high quality care in the future. What is important now is turning this ambitious vision into reality.

 “It is absolutely right that Directors of Nursing are recognised as champions of high quality care, and they must be fully supported from ward to board level in this important role. It is also right that these nurse leaders should be fully accountable for the shape and size of the nursing workforce given the unquestionable relationship between safe staffing levels and good patient care. Nurses will also welcome the recommendation to strengthen the role of ward sisters, who act as the linchpin between patients and management.

 “Introducing the regulation of healthcare assistants and advanced practitioners will be an important step in improving patient safety. These changes, as well as the move to make nursing an all-graduate profession, must be underpinned by good training, CPD and support for healthcare workers in all settings.

 “As we approach the General Election, the RCN urges all political parties to embrace the recommendations in today’s report, which will stand the NHS in good stead for

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Notes for Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Press Office on 020 7647 3633. 

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.