RCN – Nursing jobs being cut, despite assurances

Published: 21 August 2012

For immediate release: 21 August 2012

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today responded to the NHS Information Centre workforce statistics, revealing that the number of qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff has fallen by over 4800 since April 2010, with 247 lost in May, the most recent month for which figures are available.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said:
“For two years now, our Frontline First campaign has exposed the slash and burn approach taken by some NHS Trusts. It simply isn’t right to suggest that you can take these posts away without damaging patient care. Our members tell us every day about a health service which could easily buckle under the strain of delivering more care with fewer staff. Cutting staff is a short-sighted and ultimately futile way of attempting to save money, as patients can end up waiting longer and being more seriously ill by the time they are treated.

“Instead of cutting frontline staff, the NHS should pursue better planned, managed and designed services which keep people as well as possible and out of hospital. The RCN will continue to oppose job cuts locally and nationally on behalf of our members and the patients they care for.”

-ends-

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.