RCN welcomes landmark NHS Review
Published: 30 June 2008
Commentating on the launch of the NHS Review, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said:
“The RCN welcomes the recognition by Lord Darzi’s Review that future healthcare provision should aim for a more quality based approach, and that nurses can play a lead role in its shaping and delivery.
“The overwhelming majority of care provided by the NHS is safe, but the RCN believes the ambition now must be to drive up patients’ experience from a ‘safe’ to a ‘high quality’ service. If fully implemented, these recommendations have the potential to achieve this ambition.
“We also welcome the Review’s recommendation to increase investment in nurse education and training. And, that in the future the NHS will have a culture where nurse leaders are supported and empowered to effect meaningful change.
“We know that many NHS nurses who had considered setting up their own services were put off by the thought of losing their pension rights. The RCN is confident the proposal that nurses transferring from the NHS will be able to remain within the NHS pension scheme will lead to even more nurses setting up their own services to provide even more patients with faster and better care.
“The RCN looks forward to work closely with the Government, patient groups and staff in achieve this transformation in healthcare.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
For more 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
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