RCN responds to publication of NHS 2010-2015: From Good to Great

Published: 10 December 2009

Responding to the publication of NHS 2010-2015: From Good to Great, Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing at the Royal College of Nursing, said:

"There is much to welcome in today's announcement on the future plans for the NHS. In today's tough economic climate, it is absolutely right that we target resources at the frontline. We know that demand for healthcare is increasing and that is why we cannot afford to cut nursing numbers to meet efficiency savings. The need for people-centred, quality care depends upon the current and future supply of skilled healthcare workers.

"We welcome the partnership approach to developing both the staff passport and guaranteed employment and accept that in the future care will be provided in different ways and different settings. Nursing will need to be flexible to deliver personalised, preventative care close to people's homes and communities. But this transformation in care can only happen if nursing numbers are not cut either in real terms or by stealth through recruitment freezes and failure to replace vacant posts.

"We are also encouraged by the positive steps in providing access to a dedicated one to one healthcare professional for all those with complex conditions. Ahead of the general election, the RCN is calling for people with long term conditions to have guaranteed access to specialist nurses who not only provide high quality care, valued by patients, but who are also proven to be highly cost effective."

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/news/mediacentre.php

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.