Press Releases
-
31/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to NHS Confederation survey finding that health leaders plan staff cuts amid ‘substantial’ saving targets
Executive Director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said: "The millions that are stuck on waiting lists are proof that balancing the books on the backs of patients is a road to nowhere. Cuts to services harm patient outcomes and cost the NHS more in the long run."
-
29/05/2024
Press Release
Professor Pat Cullen steps down from RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive role
Professor Pat Cullen, said: “This was the hardest decision to make, and we have achieved so much in three very different and difficult years. I hope my legacy here will be to have helped the nursing profession use its voice and campaign for change, for ourselves and patients. I owe RCN members a debt of gratitude.”
-
29/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to Labour Party plans to clear the NHS backlog
Executive Director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said: “For Labour's promised historic expansion of the NHS workforce, we need more detail. With thousands of staff leaving the health service each year and nursing applications plummeting, only action to raise pay and abolish tuition fees will revitalise the profession and help reduce waiting lists.”
-
23/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to call to redesign paediatric wards to help youngsters with mental health problems
RCN UK Head of Nursing Practice, Stephen Jones, said: "This report highlights the distressing daily reality of an NHS in crisis."
-
22/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to 76% fall in visa applications from overseas health and care workers
Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “Blocking care workers and their families from coming to the UK is detrimental to the care of those in need and cruel to the people who can provide it."
-
22/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to calling of general election
Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “An early plea from nursing staff: don’t make the NHS a political football but don’t think you can get by on just platitudes either. Nursing staff are looking for firm commitments from all candidates and all parties – things have got to change."
-
21/05/2024
Press Release
RCN Wales responds to HEIW decision to scale back nurse training targets in Wales
RCN Wales Associate Director, Sandy Harding, responds to the Health Education Improvement Wales commissioning and training recommendations for the education of the health professionals workforce.
-
16/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the Labour Party's six pledges for the general election
Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive said: “Central to this NHS pledge has to be a commitment to more nurses and better conditions for them. A deliverable plan on waiting lists and round-the-clock services relies on enough staff, who feel valued and able to give high-quality care."
-
16/05/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to Office for Students analysis on increased pressure on higher education sector finances
RCN Deputy Director of Nursing, Dr Nichola Ashby, said: “Universities train the next generation of nurses, but more and more are in crisis. The number of people applying to study nursing is already collapsing, and now this precarious financial position could see vital nursing courses close. This ultimately means fewer nurses – and more patients struggling to get the care they deserve."
-
16/05/2024
Press Release
A lost decade: nursing staff demoralised by poor care and low pay
Professor Pat Cullen, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “Over the last ten years, nursing staff have become increasingly demoralised by the level of care they are able to provide. The stress and anxiety from trying to meet the needs of patients is forcing them to work whilst sick and now many want to quit entirely. It is a terrible state of affairs."
Page last updated - 23/09/2024
