RCN renews call for protected training time for nurses

Published: 10 February 2010

Responding to the publication today of the Care Quality Commission report on the state of health and social care in England, Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

“We welcome the news that improvements have been made to the quality of patient care. The reduction in MRSA and C.difficile rates and better reporting of serious incidents are testament to the hard work of nurses up and down the country.

“However, the report highlights that there is no room for complacency and a great deal of work still needs to be done in certain areas. It is deeply concerning that a number of organisations are still failing to provide mandatory staff training in safeguarding, life support and fire safety. As we approach the general election, the RCN is calling on all political parties to protect training time to ensure all nursing staff have access to professional development, as well as the basic training needed to provide safe, quality care.

“The report also highlights the importance of joined-up care in meeting the rising demand and financial pressure that the health service faces. As professionals working in both hospital and community settings, nurses are well placed to take the lead in the integration of health and social care.”

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Notes to Editors

Further information about the RCN’s General Election manifesto, and the priorities for nursing, can be found at http://generalelection.rcn.org.uk/
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

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, healthcare assistants 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.