Responding to plans to cut NHS quangos RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said:

“Things are so unsafe for patients right now that this is a high-stakes move. Today, in hospitals across the NHS, we know one nurse can be left caring for 10, 15 or more patients at a time. It's not safe. It's not effective. And it's not acceptable.

“For these proposed changes to be effective government must take ownership of the real issue, the staffing crisis on our wards, and not just shuffle people into new roles. Protecting patients has to be the priority and not just a drive for efficiency.”

Ends