RCN welcomes watchdog report on ability of the health service to meet the needs of children
Published: 16 March 2009
Commenting on the Healthcare Commission’s report on children’s services, Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:
“It has been clear for some time now that there is a severe shortage of children’s nurses particularly in emergency care as this report points out. It is a problem of recruitment and retention, which leaves the children’s nurses that are in post, seriously overworked. The report also points out that not enough nurses are receiving adequate training in meeting the needs of children, yet we know that nurses want to train and develop their skills, so that they can do the best possible job.
“Our members tell us that in far too many places, being able to access nurse training for children’s care is not an option. Even though government and professional bodies have issued guidance for minimum training standards, our members find that so many Trusts do not have the budget or the inclination to train their staff.
“No nurse should be told that there are not enough resources to provide them with necessary training. We want to work closely with the government, the Commission and other Royal Colleges to ensure that recommendations on training are followed up and delivered in every health setting, from acute to community.
“We commend the Healthcare Commission report and recommend it to others. The findings raise serious issues that are a major cause for concern.”
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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.