RCN comments on NHS Confederation report

Published: 24 January 2013

For immediate release: 24 January 2013
 
RCN comments on NHS Confederation report
 
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has today (24 January) commented on the new paper Information Overload: Tackling Bureaucracy in the NHS,  published by the NHS Confederation. The paper warns that the administrative burden faced by NHS organisations could take clinical staff away from direct patient care.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:
“Our members have been telling us for several years that they are forced to spend too much time filling in forms, ticking boxes and duplicating information. An RCN survey in 2012 found that 53% of nurses said that clinical information systems were duplicating paper records. The report is proof that the problems are continuing to rise, heightened by a reduction in the number of administrative staff. While it is necessary to monitor care, record vital signs, and follow care plans, we are concerned that the burden is excessive and can be very poorly managed. In particular, the time spent filling in forms is time which could be spent with patients.

“By working to ensure that clinical staff have the tools and systems they need, the NHS can get better value from their nurses and doctors.  The RCN has recently worked with colleagues at the Royal College of Physicians to develop the first National Early Warning Score, which includes a standardised chart to record vital information and communicate it effectively.  There also needs to be proper planning and oversight of what data is gathered, so that it is up to date, used effectively and never duplicated.  We urge all NHS organisations to focus on paperwork which serves the patient, and to ensure that there is enough support to allow nurses to focus on delivering care.”

Ends
 

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 nursing staff 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.