Staff left behind as public health changes forge on

Published: 23 January 2012

Commenting on the Public Health Outcomes Framework, published today (23 January 2012), Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“The RCN welcomes the publication of this crucial document and the information it provides in terms of the direction of travel for public health in England. However, we are acutely aware that changes have already been happening on the ground, well before this document came to light, and are concerned that some of the wider reaching implications have not been fully considered.

“There is certainly a great deal of work to be done in tackling major public health issues such as obesity, alcohol and sexual health and nurses have a key role to play in this. In order to achieve these goals the Government needs to take its dedicated NHS staff with them, yet it appears to have completely disregarded the impact these changes will have on the workforce with many set to be transferred to local authorities without fair consultation.

“The RCN has consistently argued that trade unions should be fully engaged as stakeholders in this process and that staff retain NHS pay, terms and conditions, with access to an NHS pension. Anything less could lead to fragmentation and put people off public health as a career path. Information on the workforce strategy must be made available as soon as possible or the Government risks damaging the very system it wants to improve.”

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.