RCN's message to new health secretary: ‘Do the right thing by nursing’

Delivering the improvements needed across health and care, including long-overdue reform of pay and career progression for nursing staff, must be top of the agenda for the new health secretary in Westminster, the RCN has said.

James Murray MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, following Wes Streeting MP's resignation from the post.

Mr Murray was previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury and has served as the Member of Parliament for Ealing North since 2019.

Responding to the appointment, Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, welcomed Mr Murray into the role and said she was looking forward to working with him.

She also said that there are “no shortage of challenges in his in-tray”, from GP surgeries to hospitals, community and mental health to social care.

“At the heart of them all is a depleted, undervalued nursing workforce which will be looking for the backing of the new secretary of state,” Nicola said.

“As a former treasury minister, he will know only too well the power of investment, and I would urge him to do the right thing by nursing. That is the quickest route to delivering better quality care for patients.

“Top of his agenda must be delivering the improvements needed across health and care including long-overdue reform of pay and career progression for nursing staff. We stand ready to be part of the solution.”

Also this week, the Welsh government announced Mabon ap Gwynfor MS as the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care.

Image credit: James Murray ©House of Commons