Press Releases
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05/12/2024
Press Release
Barely a spare bed in NHS hospitals, says Royal College of Nursing
Executive Director for RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said: “As the Prime Minister speaks, thousands of NHS patients needing treatment today are being cared for in corridors. He did not create this crisis, but he is now responsible for it and must start to find some answers."
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04/12/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to the Nuffield Trust report ‘Practice learning in nursing and midwifery education’
RCN UK Head of Nursing Practice Stephen Jones said: “High quality practice placements are crucial to a student nurse’s education to develop their skills and prepare them to join our brilliant profession. But as this report makes clear, an overstretched workforce and under-resourced healthcare system cannot guarantee a high-quality learning environment."
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02/12/2024
Press Release
Failing nurse recruitment and huge rise in early leavers creating ‘perfect storm for patient safety’, warns Royal College of Nursing
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: "Today’s figures are bad news for patients. Nurse recruitment is slowing, the numbers of new starters is falling and we are witnessing a devastating increase in people leaving within five years of joining."
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28/11/2024
Press Release
Royal College of Nursing responds to Home Office measures to tackle exploitation of migrant care workers
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “Rogue employers who deny migrant care workers their basic employment rights should face tougher sanctions, and today’s measures are a step in the right direction."
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22/11/2024
Press Release
Outstanding clinical nurse specialist advocating for older persons with psychosis named RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2024
Madelaine Watkins works within Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) and her amazing efforts to improve access for older persons dealing with psychosis, and educating staff earned her the title of Wales Nurse of the Year at last night’s (21 November) 11th annual RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards.
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21/11/2024
Press Release
Out of area placements symptom of mental health system without enough beds or staff, says Royal College of Nursing
RCN UK Professional Lead for Mental Health Ben Thomas said: “Some of the most vulnerable are being shunted around the country at a time when they need stability. This is a symptom of a mental health system which has neither the beds nor the workforce to deliver care closer to home. It’s an unacceptable way to treat people, disrupting treatment plans, slowing recovery and delaying discharge."
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21/11/2024
Press Release
Ministers must act on growing body of evidence linking nurse numbers and patient deaths, says Royal College of Nursing
Executive Director of RCN England Patricia Marquis said: “This study adds to the growing body of evidence about the link between lower nurse numbers and patient deaths. Ministers need to pay attention and take urgent action to keep highly skilled nurses in the profession."
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16/11/2024
Press Release
Nursing staff and doctors with long COVID ‘hung out to dry’, two years on from ministers being told to act
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: "Healthcare workers who contracted long COVID are facing monumental health struggles, with many forced out of their jobs and into early retirement. This has been devastating, not only to their professional pride but also to their personal finances."
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14/11/2024
Press Release
Corridor care disaster unfolding in hospitals, Royal College of Nursing says
Executive Director of RCN England Patricia Marquis said: “Today’s figures show a corridor care disaster is unfolding in front of our eyes. Near record numbers are languishing on trolleys after being deemed sick enough to be admitted, whilst thousands cannot be discharged due to a lack of community care."
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13/11/2024
Press Release
League tables will not address crisis in nursing or NHS, says Royal College of Nursing
Executive Director of RCN England Patricia Marquis said: "To raise standards, the health secretary needs to fill tens of thousands of nurse vacancies. Employers want to see a workforce plan for hiring people, when too many are quitting and student nurse numbers are falling."
Page last updated - 21/02/2025
