RCN response to the Government's mid term review update

Published: 09 January 2013

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (January 9) responded to the Government’s mid term review. Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:

 “Frontline staff will struggle to recognise the picture of the NHS painted in today’s report when faced with the reality of what is happening on the ground.  We know that since May 2010 more than 61,000 posts have either been lost or are set to go in the NHS in England and that more than 7,000 nursing posts have been axed. On a daily basis, nurses are telling us that they do not have enough staff to deliver good quality care. Demand for services is continuing to rise, however staffing levels are being cut with a direct impact on patient care.

“In the next half of Parliament, we would like to work with the Government on focusing on reversing the drop in nursing numbers, grasping the issue of social care funding and start turning the rhetoric of moving services into the community into a reality.”

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.