Policy briefings

• NHS Complaints Review
  Published: 15 May 2013 - PDF File 142.8 KB
  This briefing provides an overview to the review of the NHS complaints system in England being undertaken, following the publication of the Francis Report and in response to the publicised experiences of Ann Clwyd MP during her husband’s final days as a patient at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in October 2012.

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<div class="bri_name">NHS Complaints Review</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 15 May 2013 - PDF File 142.8 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">This briefing provides an overview to the review of the NHS complaints system in England being undertaken, following the publication of the Francis Report and in response to the publicised experiences of Ann Clwyd MP during her husband’s final days as a patient at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in October 2012.</div> </li>

• Monitor and the NHS provider license
  Published: 01 May 2013 - PDF File 182.8 KB
  This briefing sets out details on the provider license introduced in April 2013 for Foundation Trusts and issued by Monitor as part of their responsibilities as a sector regulator. The license will also apply to other providers of NHS services from 2014.

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<div class="bri_name">Monitor and the NHS provider license</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 01 May 2013 - PDF File 182.8 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">This briefing sets out details on the provider license introduced in April 2013 for Foundation Trusts and issued by Monitor as part of their responsibilities as a sector regulator. The license will also apply to other providers of NHS services from 2014.</div> </li>

• Frontline First report April 2013 - Nursing on red alert
  Published: 24 Apr 2013 - PDF File 891.1 KB
  The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has been examining the impact of financial pressures on the NHS since 2010 through our Frontline First campaign. We believe that there are now red lights flashing across the UK, warning that we are heading for a nursing shortage that could have serious implications for health services and patients.

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<div class="bri_name">Frontline First report April 2013 - Nursing on red alert</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 24 Apr 2013 - PDF File 891.1 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has been examining the impact of financial pressures on the NHS since 2010 through our Frontline First campaign. We believe that there are now red lights flashing across the UK, warning that we are heading for a nursing shortage that could have serious implications for health services and patients.</div> </li>

• Nurses blowing the whistle on poor care
  Published: 22 Apr 2013 - PDF File 194.5 KB
  In light of the care failings at Mid Stafford hospital, raising concerns and effective complaint handling within the health and social care sector has become a priority. This briefing showcases the Norwegian system of reporting and handling complaints and the legislation in place to support staff who speak out against poor care and practice. A positive and open whistleblowing culture exists in Norway where employees feel empowered to report wrongdoings. The Norwegian example offers some learning opportunities for England, specifically in handling complaints comprehensively, fostering an open workplace culture and having a strong nursing presence at board level.

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<div class="bri_name">Nurses blowing the whistle on poor care</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 22 Apr 2013 - PDF File 194.5 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">In light of the care failings at Mid Stafford hospital, raising concerns and effective complaint handling within the health and social care sector has become a priority. This briefing showcases the Norwegian system of reporting and handling complaints and the legislation in place to support staff who speak out against poor care and practice. A positive and open whistleblowing culture exists in Norway where employees feel empowered to report wrongdoings. The Norwegian example offers some learning opportunities for England, specifically in handling complaints comprehensively, fostering an open workplace culture and having a strong nursing presence at board level.</div> </li>

• Revision of European Legislation on Tobacco Products Directive
  Published: 05 Apr 2013 - PDF File 132.6 KB
  The EU Tobacco Products Directive is currently being reviewed and updated. The Directive will be bringing forward new proposals in relation to health warnings, ingredients, size of packets and nicotine containing products. The RCN has produced a position statement on the directive which is attached. The RCN will now work with EU alliances during the negotiation phase of the Directive in the European Parliament and with members states.

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<div class="bri_name">Revision of European Legislation on Tobacco Products Directive</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 05 Apr 2013 - PDF File 132.6 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">The EU Tobacco Products Directive is currently being reviewed and updated. The Directive will be bringing forward new proposals in relation to health warnings, ingredients, size of packets and nicotine containing products. The RCN has produced a position statement on the directive which is attached. The RCN will now work with EU alliances during the negotiation phase of the Directive in the European Parliament and with members states.</div> </li>

• Ratings in health and social care
  Published: 14 Mar 2013 - PDF File 133.8 KB
  A short briefing on the Nuffield Trust Review.

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<div class="bri_name">Ratings in health and social care</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 14 Mar 2013 - PDF File 133.8 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">A short briefing on the Nuffield Trust Review.</div> </li>

• Patient level costing and nursing
  Published: 04 Mar 2013 - PDF File 193.4 KB
  This briefing discusses patient level costing and how it is being used in the NHS. It discusses the potential opportunities for nursing including having a clearer understanding of the costs needed to deliver quality of care.

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<div class="bri_name">Patient level costing and nursing</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 04 Mar 2013 - PDF File 193.4 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">This briefing discusses patient level costing and how it is being used in the NHS. It discusses the potential opportunities for nursing including having a clearer understanding of the costs needed to deliver quality of care.</div> </li>

• Presentation on the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry report
  Published: 12 Feb 2013 - MS PowerPoint Document 183.0 KB
  Following the publication of the final report of the public inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust on 6 February 2013, the RCN Policy and International team has produced a short power point presentation for members summarising the main points and recommendations based on our initial analysis. This presentation is primarily intended to support RCN Board and Branch level discussions on the report. We would welcome your thoughts and comments on the report and these should be emailed to policycontacts@rcn.org.uk Please note that there is further information for members on the RCN’s This is nursing website: http://thisisnursing.rcn.org.uk/pages/qa-for-members

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<div class="bri_name">Presentation on the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry report</div>
<div class="bri_pubdate">Published: 12 Feb 2013 - MS PowerPoint Document 183.0 KB</div>
<div class="bri_desc">Following the publication of the final report of the public inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust on 6 February 2013, the RCN Policy and International team has produced a short power point presentation for members summarising the main points and recommendations based on our initial analysis. This presentation is primarily intended to support RCN Board and Branch level discussions on the report. We would welcome your thoughts and comments on the report and these should be emailed to policycontacts@rcn.org.uk Please note that there is further information for members on the RCN’s This is nursing website: http://thisisnursing.rcn.org.uk/pages/qa-for-members</div> </li>