Responding to the NHS Providers’ ‘Lost Generation’ report, Executive Director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said:
“When NHS leaders say staff shortages are preventing them from delivering services to children - it is time for action.
“Despite the importance of early intervention in improving outcomes, there has been a steep fall in health visitor and school nurse numbers, meaning those that need assessments and care in the community are facing long waits. Children’s mental health and learning disability services are also in crisis with too few nursing staff to meet the demands of vulnerable children. The situation requires urgent intervention.
“Trust leaders are right to call for a restoration of the public health grant to help fund health visiting and school nursing services. The new government needs to also rescue the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan which is failing to recruit the specialist nurses we desperately need.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.
For more information, contact the RCN press office at 020 7647 3633 or email mediateamhq@rcn.org.uk
