RCN response to Labour Party Manifesto 2010

Published: 12 April 2010

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (12 April) responded to the publication of the Labour Party Manifesto 2010, ‘A Future Fair for All’. Janet Davies, RCN Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery, said:

“It is good news for patients that this manifesto includes a guarantee of one-to-one nursing care for cancer patients. We are pleased that our call for more specialist nursing care has been heard and we would like to take this a step further. One of the best ways we can improve care for all patients with long term conditions is by supporting and investing in specialist nurses. This is why we are calling for every patient with a long term condition to have guaranteed access to these vital staff.

“The RCN is committed to working with the party that wins the election to improve care for all during this tough financial period. This manifesto makes clear that up to £20 billion will have to be saved in the NHS over the coming years. However this must not be at the expense of making sure we have safe staffing levels in the wards and community, giving nurses time to train, directing resources at public health initiatives and sustaining investment in services, staff and facilities.

“We will be examining the detail of this manifesto and the implications for nurses and the patients that they care for.”

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Notes to editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Press Office on 02076473633. 
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.