RCN response to Andrew Lansley speech on NHS benchmarks

Published: 07 December 2011

Commenting on this morning’s speech by the Secretary of State for Heath regarding NHS benchmarks, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“We certainly welcome the Government’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and the focus on giving patients much more information about their care. However, it is vital that these benchmarks do not turn into additional targets that will place further pressure on an already stretched NHS workforce.

“We also know that improved patient outcomes can only be achieved by safe numbers of staff with the correct skill mix. There is clear evidence that the quality of care and patient safety is improved when you have the right numbers and skills in place on wards. More than 56,000 NHS posts have been axed or are set to go across the UK and this is likely to have a deep and potentially dangerous impact on patient care. A benchmark on safe staffing levels would only be beneficial in achieving improved patient outcomes.

“Recent international examples have shown that the NHS is performing well compared to other countries and this is a result of staff working extremely hard. What we want to see now is the Government building on these strengths in these difficult economic times.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, 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 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 organizations.