RCN comment on South London Healthcare Trust

Published: 26 June 2012

Commenting on the situation at South London Healthcare Trust, Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said:

“The current situation presents a worrying state of affairs for both patients and staff at South London Healthcare Trust. The Trust has been facing financial challenges for quite some time under the burden of PFI contracts. Despite this, staff have continued to do their best for patients, providing high levels of care.

“Nevertheless, the current issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency as the Trust simply cannot continue to run at such a large deficit. If alternative methods of service delivery are to be considered, it is essential that patients, staff and the public are closely involved in the consultation process and that high levels of care continue to be maintained. Equally, the Government should now go back to the PFI contractors involved and look at how the current debts could be managed more effectively.”

Notes to editors

1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 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