RCN responds to Nuffield report on hospital inspections

Published: 22 March 2013

Under embargo: 00:01 Friday 22 March 2013

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today responded to a review published by the Nuffield Trust into potential rating systems for health and social care.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said: “We welcome this report, which has been conducted rigorously. As part of this review, the nursing voice was heard and the opinions of the front line taken into consideration. Clearly, there is a gap in the provision of information, and this can be particularly important when people are trying to choose between the range of providers in social care. Accurate and comprehensive information can help patients and clinicians, and should be geared towards their needs rather than the needs of managers to balance the books. Any ratings system must support staff without adding an extra tier of bureaucracy.

“Hospitals are complex organisations and can consist of a range of microclimates, so it is vital that all ratings are properly planned and support staff to improve care. However a key point which this review raises is that having a rating system does not automatically mean that failing hospitals or care providers will be spotted, and a ratings system cannot be a substitute for measures to track the quality of care. The RCN agrees that the organisation best placed to develop any rating system would be the Care Quality Commission, and we look forward to hearing the Government’s plans.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 02076473633, 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.