RCN responds to watchdog’s verdict on Public Health Services

Published: 15 July 2008

The Royal College of Nursing is calling on the Government to recruit more qualified school nurses to address the issues of obesity, sexual health, and inequalities in our health care system.

Commenting on the Healthcare Commission and Audit Commission report, Are we choosing health? The impact of policy on the delivery of health improvement programmes and services, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, (RCN), said:

“The Government’s efforts to educate and inform the public on health care should be commended, as the joint report found that life expectancy had risen, while premature deaths in under 75s from circulatory diseases and those from cancer had fallen. 

“However, more needs to be done to tackle the issue of obesity in adults and children, and the rise in sexual transmitted infections.

“The public’s health and wellbeing should remain the number one priority for Government, in particular the need to educate children about adopting healthier lifestyles. To do this, the Government must honour its’ pledge to ensure that every child has access to a school nurse, so that all children know how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“Obesity and sexual transmitted infections will continue to rise if the Government does not take the necessary steps to confront these health challenges by matching pledges with resources.”

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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/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.