RCN Statement on Newsnight Programme 29 February

Published: 01 March 2012

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today moved to clarify remarks made by Secretary of State for Health on BBC Newsnight, regarding the Health and Social Care Bill and the RCN’s view over Foundation Trusts.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

“Contrary to the Secretary of State’s claims last night in an interview with Jeremy Paxman, the RCN never actively supported the Health and Social Care Bill. We initially welcomed underlying principles behind the bill, however, the proposals will not deliver on those principles originally set out. We spent a year trying to work with the Government but our concerns were simply not heeded and the NHS is now likely to be seriously destabilised as a result of these reforms. This is not an issue about pay or pensions – it’s about genuine, honestly held concerns about the quality of patient care and where the health service is headed.

“It was also factually inaccurate for the Secretary of State to claim that the RCN opposed NHS Foundation Trusts. The RCN has unequivocally stated* that it does not oppose the creation of foundation trusts – we believe that each application for foundation trust status should be considered on its merits. It is disappointing that these false claims were made on national television.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

*New Foundations : The Future of NHS Trust Providers, 2010 http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/314619/05.10_New_Foundations_the_future_of_NHS_Trust_Providers_Report.pdf

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 organisations.