Press Releases
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30/08/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to new IFS research on the NHS Workforce plan
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said: "These independent experts are laying down the challenge to the government and all parties over the significant boost needed - there are some difficult decisions and the service can ill-afford cans to be kicked further down the road."
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24/08/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the latest NHS England Vacancy Statistics
RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said: “As we head towards another challenging winter there are still over 40,000 nursing vacancies in the NHS in England. It is leaving our health and care system underprepared for the months ahead."
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17/08/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to fall in nursing courses acceptance rate
RCN Deputy Director for Nursing, Dr Nichola Ashby, said: “The UK Government has stumbled at the first hurdle of their NHS Workforce Plan, with 13% fewer people expected to take up nursing courses this year in England."
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10/08/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to a record number of patients sitting on an NHS waiting list
RCN Chief Nursing Officer, Nicola Ranger, said: "With a record number of patients now on a waiting list in England, the NHS is falling into deeper crisis."
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03/08/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing respond to NMC Spotlight on Nursing and Midwifery report
RCN Chief Nursing Officer, Nicola Ranger, said: “It is completely unacceptable that any internationally educated nurse would face abuse, racism and discrimination and all organisations need to work together to do more to protect staff."
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02/08/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the Prime Minister's comments on strike action and waiting lists
Responding to the Prime Minister’s comments on strike action causing waiting lists to increase, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis said: “This comment adds insult to injury. Blaming nurses for the state of the NHS is a low blow. Nursing staff voted to strike last year out of concern at deteriorating care standards and spiralling waiting times."
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27/07/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the latest NHS England Workforce and Sickness absence data
Responding to the latest NHS England Workforce and Sickness absence data, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said: "Today's figures show rates of sickness amongst nursing staff remain stubbornly high and are well above pre-pandemic levels. Although the overall sickness rate has trended down slightly since December 2022, there are still far too many days lost due to nursing staff being off sick.
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25/07/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to Health Foundation report projecting 2.5m more people in England will be living with major illness by 2040
RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said: “This report should act as a wake-up call to a government that has failed to plan properly, and left health and care services without the funding desperately needed."
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25/07/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the CQC’s urgent and emergency care survey 2022
Responding to the Care Quality Commission's urgent and emergency care survey 2022, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said: “The Care Quality Commission report lays bare the stark pressures that nurses working in A&E and urgent care departments face every day of the year."
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20/07/2023
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the Illegal Migration Bill receiving Royal Assent
Responding to the Illegal Migration Bill receiving Royal Assent, RCN Chief Nursing Officer, Nicola Ranger, said: “Today marks a backwards step in the way we treat those fleeing persecution. This law will undermine people’s fundamental right, which are enshrined in international law, and have a catastrophic impact on their health and wellbeing."
Page last updated - 21/02/2025
