Consultation responses

This consultation sought views on the implementation of free NHS hospital car parking for inpatients.

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the situation of nursing and midwifery almost a decade after the Munich Declaration and to identify areas that need a stronger international recognition and strategic development.

The size and scale of the differences in health of people living in different parts of the EU and between socially advantaged and disadvantaged EU citizens represents a challenge to the EU’s commitment to solidarity and equality of opportunity. In this context, the European Commission announced a communication on reducing health inequalities in the EU in its work programme for 2009 as an initiative on “Solidarity in Health”.

Quality accounts will be legally required of all providers of NHS health care from June 2010 (subject to the successful passage of the Health Bill). For the acute sector, the duty applies next year and it will apply to primary care and community services subsequently.

The NHS Constitution brought together in one place what the NHS does, what it stands for and the commitments it should live up to. It describes and renews our commitment to the values and enduring principles of the NHS. It is also a living document that needs to reflect what matters and is relevant to the needs of patients, the public and staff in the 21st century.

A key issue for the RCN has been that of equitable access and the difficulties posed for those on limited incomes of paying up front for the treatment in another country. We have argued that if patients seek and obtain prior authorisation then they should not have to wait for reimbursement of costs.

In the current financial crisis, investment in the health care workforce, including the nursing workforce, is essential to help bring Europeans through the greater risks they face of poor health characteristic of times of economic difficulty.

This consultation sought views about a new pathway approach for the treatment and management of offenders with serious personality disorders.

On 24 March 2010, the European Commission issued a consultation for the social partners at EU level to respond on the Working Time Directive.

The proposals for the NHS foundation trust Quality Accounts assurance comprised of three elements: 1. Board assertion 2. External assurance on the arrangements in place to ensure Quality Accounts are fairly stated 3. External assurance on performance indicators in the Quality Accounts