RCN responds to first wave of CCGs

Published: 11 December 2012

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has today (11 December) responded to the authorisation of the first wave of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs):

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:

“The RCN has been closely monitoring the involvement of nursing in CCGs since securing a requirement of at least one qualified nurse on each governing body; this was crucial for the future of commissioning. We have been working closely with the Chief Nursing Officer to ensure that nurses are properly represented and appointed.

“We are disappointed to see, however, that some CCGs appear to have been authorised without the presence of anyone from the nursing profession on their Board. While we realise that this is currently a work in progress, this requirement has been known for quite some time. In addition, it is not just about the presence of qualified nurses. It is also about wider nursing involvement in commissioning and support at every level, so we can be assured that commissioning will be driven on a clinical basis.

“The RCN is committed to working with the Chief Nursing Officer so that nurses are sufficiently represented and high quality patient care and safety is at the heart of all CCG operations.”
 
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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.