RCN comment on report into Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Published: 08 November 2012

For immediate release 8 November 2012
RCN comment on report into Hinchingbrooke Hospital

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today commented on a report by the National Audit Office which looked at the financial situation of Hinchingbrooke hospital.

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

"Today’s report is a matter of great concern, not just locally but also nationally, as Hinchingbrooke is rightly a test case for the future of other NHS hospitals. We need further evidence about the effectiveness of Circle’s approach before it is used elsewhere. The financial targets at Hinchingbrooke are extremely ambitious and the National Audit Office has shown that the challenge is even greater than expected. Above all, we are concerned that this level of financial pressure is unlikely to be borne without a significant impact on patient care. Circle has removed 46 nursing posts at Hinchingbrooke so far, and we believe that cutbacks like this risk damaging patient care. Removing nurses from their posts must not be the default strategy for any trust when it comes to saving money.”

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Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. The 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