Warning signs for the NHS in CQC survey - RCN

Published: 16 March 2011

For immediate release: Wednesday 16th March 2011

Warning signs for the NHS in CQC survey - RCN

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today responded to the publication of the CQC annual survey of NHS staff, saying that while staff clearly feel that they can make a difference to patients, cracks are beginning to show and staff are expressing concerns about issues such as violence against staff and hygiene practices.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, said:
“These figures show that NHS staff are working harder than ever to improve care under difficult circumstances, and that 90 per cent still feel that they are making a difference to patients. We are very concerned that at the same time as this survey was filled in, the RCN identified almost 27,000 posts at risk, and the cracks are beginning to show. Nurses and healthcare assistants are telling us that staffing levels are compromising their ability to provide high quality care, and we urge employers and the government to listen to staff concerns as they embark on a massive overhaul of the way the NHS is run.

“We are also concerned that eight per cent of staff have reported experiencing physical violence whilst at work – this wouldn’t be tolerated in any other line of work, and employers need to take all the precautions they can to keep staff safe.

“Nurses have also worked extremely hard over recent years to reduce the levels of preventable infection. We are therefore very concerned that more staff are reporting that hot water, soap and alcohol rubs are not always available when they are needed. If this is a result of cost-cutting measures, we would be extremely concerned about this short – term decision-making. There is a real danger that the posts at risk and the massive reorganisation could lead to a backwards step in the basics of high quality care.”

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Notes to Editors

The results of the RCN’s survey on staffing levels (published 7th February 2010) can be found here - http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/press_releases/uk/fears_over_quality_care_revealed_by_nurses

The RCN released a report in November 2010 which outlined the 27,000 posts at risk in the NHS, and also showed examples of excellent and innovative care. You can read the report here - http://frontlinefirst.rcn.org.uk/page/s/report

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/newsevents/media

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.