RCN response to Chief Medical Officer’s annual report

Published: 21 November 2012

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has today (21 November) responded to the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) annual report. Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said:

“Many of Professor Davies’ concerns echo our own and we hope this will lead to firm action and investment to tackle some of the biggest threats to public health in England, such as alcohol abuse, diabetes and obesity.

“It is shocking that the death rate from liver disease is increasing in England at a time when it is falling across Europe. Alcohol abuse is one of the greatest threats to public health in this country and it can only be tackled by robust regulation of the industry, along with a minimum unit price to prevent binge drinking.

“In addition, this report shows that it is not just alcohol abuse which is a threat to public health, with 70% of adults displaying at least two medical risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes. We agree with Professor Davies’ comments that healthcare professionals have an important role to play in reducing this number. At the RCN we are providing training for nursing staff to help them ask the right questions at the right time about patients’ health choices.

“More needs to be done to help people make informed health decisions, and this needs to involve the food and drink industries, such as through the proper labelling of food with health information.

“It is concerning that at a time when health professionals will need to spend more time with patients to discuss health choices, nursing posts are being cut. Reductions in staffing levels will mean vital preventative work will take a back seat. This will be compounded by cuts to specialist nursing posts, such as diabetes nurses, who do so much to improve patient care and actually save money in the long term through reduced hospital admissions.”