Responding to the new Health Bill amendment that requires NHS foundation trusts to continue having at least one executive director who is a registered nurse or midwife, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger, said:

 

“This is a significant victory for nursing, safeguarding its seat at the top table of NHS foundation trusts. It maintains the existing legal requirement which the government had previously intended to scrap. We have fought hard for this amendment, and it is a breakthrough moment with the government listening to our calls to ensure board level nurse leadership is protected.

 

“The voice of nursing should always be heard in the NHS boardroom. We are the largest workforce within the NHS and the closest to the patient. Chief nurses deserve their expertise and leadership to be recognised and their place guaranteed so they can advocate on behalf of patients and for the nursing workforce. 

 

“We will be asking MPs to ensure the amendment is passed and we will continue to scrutinise the bill as the details are worked through. It’s vital that nurses can continue to challenge leaders to ensure the needs of patients are always central to decision making in the NHS."

 

Ends 

 

Notes to editors

 

Today, the government has announced the below amendment to the Health Bill:

 

'This requires NHS foundation trusts to have at least one executive director who is a registered medical practitioner or a registered dentist and another who is a registered nurse or a registered midwife.

 

Regulations may create exceptions (for example, an exception could be created for ambulance foundation trusts).'