RCN welcomes Health Select Committee report on Commissioning

Published: 05 April 2011

Embargoed until: 00:01, Tuesday 5 April 2011
RCN welcomes Health Select Committee report on Commissioning

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (5 April) welcomed the Health Committee’s report ‘Commissioning: Further Issues’, which recommended that nurses should be represented and involved on all local commissioning boards. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter said:

“Today’s report chimes with the RCN’s evidence to the Health Committee. We have long said that no single profession can have sole responsibility for commissioning healthcare, and without a mix of health care professionals – including nurses – we believe that the new model of commissioning will fail.
 
“We would like to congratulate Stephen Dorrell and Committee members for listening to our evidence and understanding the vital role that nurses and other health professionals play in commissioning. Modern healthcare services are increasingly nurse-led and today’s report recognises our evidence that nurses play a pivotal role in the NHS’ decision-making process. Nursing staff take a lead in developing specialist services, such as cancer, and many public health initiatives. They also provide a valuable insight into practical issues of service delivery, including advice on value for money, efficient practice and quality patient care.”

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 Notes to Editors

1. For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php

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.

3. The RCN’s oral evidence to the Health Committee on Commissioning can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmhealth/c796-i/c79601.htm