RCN responds to health inequalities report
Published: 16 March 2009
Responding to the publication of the Health Committee report on health inequalities, published today, Dr. Peter Carter, General Secretary & Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:
“While the RCN acknowledges the Government’s attempts to tackle health inequalities, this report highlights the need for more careful implementation of policies in order to achieve real results in eliminating this widespread problem.
“The state of the health of the nation’s children is becoming a national scandal, while many trusts and PCTs currently have huge underspends totalling nearly £2bn. We implore the Government, as a matter of the utmost importance, to compel these organisations to immediately invest in the provision of adequate nursing and healthcare staff to address this national problem.
“The report reiterates that early interventions provide a chance to tackle health inequalities which will otherwise become entrenched in later life. To avoid missing this crucial window of opportunity in a child’s early years, the government must ensure there is sufficient funding for an adequate number of school nurses to make these interventions possible.
“Similarly the report reiterates our concerns that the number of community health workers, such as the health visitors and midwives who provide an invaluable role in promoting healthier lifestyles to the most economically deprived communities, is in decline. There is a clear need for investment in these staff to ensure effective health care is delivered where it is needed most.
“We welcome the recommendation to introduce a statutory traffic light food labelling system, which clearly and simply indicates the nutritional value of food products. This would be a decisive step in the fight against obesity.”
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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/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.