The RCN has called for the new national care service to be built around registered nurse-led care and backed by action on workforce shortages and pay.
It follows a major speech by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in which he set out preliminary plans for reforming the social care system in England. He highlighted plans for a national care service and the importance of person-centred care.
He called for cross-party support and criticised low pay in the sector. He also said a new Fair Pay Agreement for staff in adult social care can help raise standards.
Responding to the prime minister's speech on social care, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said the government has an opportunity to transform care services while reducing pressure on the NHS.
Nicola said: “The prime minister has shown that he gets the urgent need for social care reform. Nursing staff, who share his sentiments and sense of urgency, won’t forgive politicians if they fail in their moral duty to get behind this.
“A national care service has the potential to change lives, and the prime minister is right to place keen emphasis on 'person-centred care'. A sustainable system and a new model with registered nurse-led care at its core will be transformative in delivering high-quality, person-centred treatment and support, while reducing the pressure on the NHS.
"It's refreshing to hear a prime minister so directly address poor pay in social care, which remains one of the biggest barriers to recruiting and retaining skilled staff. The goal now must be making social care an employer of choice, on a par with the NHS, with people able to move between services without risking a cut in their pay.
“The forthcoming Fair Pay Agreement is a golden opportunity for the new government to signal its intentions for staff in the sector and to turn the corner on low wages and poor terms and conditions, including unacceptable levels of exploitation of migrant staff.”
We believe nurse-led care should play a central role in the design and delivery of any future national care service, helping improve outcomes for people who use services while supporting better integration across health and care.
Find out what else we’ve asked Mr Burnham to prioritise for nursing in his first 100 days in office.
