RCN responds to announcements on NHS reform programme

Published: 14 June 2011

For immediate release: Tuesday 14th June 2011

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today responded to the government’s announcement on the future of the health reforms, in which they pledged that nurses would have a guaranteed place on commissioning boards.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:
“The Prime Minister is absolutely right to say that nurses must be fully involved in commissioning. The RCN has been saying from the outset that nurses have an unparalleled range of skills and experience to enable them to improve health care at every level, and we are very pleased that the government has recognised the difference this will make to patients. The NHS faces immense challenges over the coming years, and nurses must indeed be able to help build a service which can manage long term conditions, keep people out of hospital and improve the health of the public.

“During the listening exercise, many of our concerns have clearly been taken on board. However, there is a great deal more to do. These reforms have to be absolutely right if the NHS is to face the challenges ahead, especially at a time when the service has been tasked with saving up to £4 billion per year. We know that this is resulting in cutbacks, and that they are affecting patient care on the ground, and we will now work closely with the government to address some of the concerns which still exist. We therefore welcome the delay in moving over to these new structures. With the bill now returning to the House of Commons for further scrutiny, we hope that today’s announcements will be enshrined in law and supported to become the reality on the ground.

“The government has also clearly listened to the concerns that the RCN and others have raised about the role of Monitor, and will now scrap plans for the regulator to promote competition as an end in itself. We have always says that competition over price must not override quality, and it is right to pledge additional safeguards against ‘cherry picking’ of easy services. We are also pleased to hear of the commitments to full transparency once the commissioning groups are established. It is only right that with so many new organisations, any which operate on behalf of patients should be open to their scrutiny.”

Ends

Notes for 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