RCN launches survey on the future of adult social care services

Published: 16 December 2010

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has launched a survey for members on the future of adult social care services.

The survey has been developed in response to the Government’s consultations on A Vision for Adult Social Care: Capable Communities and Active Citizens and Transparency in outcomes: a framework for adult social care  and asks for members’ views on issues such as social care providers, the personalisation of budgets and nursing and social care.

RCN head of policy Howard Catton said: “Getting the social care system right is crucial to the sustainability of the NHS. Nurses frequently sit at the interface between health and social care systems and the views of members on this issue are absolutely critical. Social care affects not only members who work in the sector but health care provided in the community and admissions to and discharge from hospitals.

“We have produced a summary of all the proposals and would like members to share their views in our short survey.”

The RCN has also established a panel of eight experts to provide guidance on the consultations.

Nursing consultant Colin Beacock, a member of the panel, said: “Nurses and nursing have significant potential for enhancing the quality of care for patients and service users in both health and social care systems. Our role is to ensure that this potential is not wasted.”

Members can take part in the survey at https://web.questback.com/royalcollegeofnursing/socialcaresurvey/. The deadline is 18 January 2011.

Notes to Editors

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/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.