Responding to the plans to introduce a neighbourhood health service as part of the 10 Year Health Plan RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said:

“A neighbourhood health service is a bold vision and it needs nursing staff in the driving seat. The Prime Minister must back up his plan with a clear one to turn around the shortage of nurses in all local communities.

“Moving care away from overcrowded hospitals is urgent and necessary but it will prove impossible whilst this part of the healthcare workforce is so depleted and undervalued. Crucial teams of district nursing and health visiting staff, who keep patients well and safe at home, have fallen by thousands in the last decade or more.

“A thriving community nursing workforce is the government's best friend here and patients know that too. We will work with government on a fresh, detailed and funded plan to recruit and retain neighbourhood nurses of the future.”

Ends