Massive rise in job insecurity amongst Scottish nurses

Less than a third of Scottish nurses feel that the profession offers a secure job, according to a survey by the Royal College of Nursing. The RCN surveyed 700 nurses and healthcare support workers, and found that only 30% believe nursing is...<<Read More>>

NHS relies on untrained assistants – RCN

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has criticised the NHS for being overly reliant on untrained healthcare assistants. Dr Peter Carter, head of the RCN, suggests that they should be subject to regulation and given increased training. Healthcare assistants help nurses with tasks such...<<Read More>>

Nurses lose jobs in Scotland

Almost 1,700 nurses in Scotland have lost their jobs over the last two years, with 1,000 more predicted to go next year. The Scottish NHS cut 500 nurse and midwife jobs between March and June this year, in an effort to make savings. Other posts including admin and senior...<<Read More>>

Lansley issues apology to nurses

After 99% of the Royal College for Nursing voted for a motion of no confidence in Health Secretary Andrew Lansley yesterday, he issued a public apology. The clear message from nurses highlights the difficulty the Government faces in getting support for the... <<Read More>>

Nurses attack Lansley’s reforms

Nurses are expected to continue to show their frustration with Health Secretary Andrew Lansley at their conference today – and could hit him with a vote of no confidence. Lansley has been criticised for “not having the guts” to address the full Royal College of Nurs... <<Read More>>

Specialist nursing under pressure from cuts

Nearly two-thirds of specialist nurses have reported seeing cutbacks in their speciality, despite Government pledges to protect NHS spending. A Royal College of Nursing survey of 777 specialist nurses shows that 62% are seeing... <<Read More>>

Temporary nursing shifts going unfilled

More nursing shifts are going unfilled because temporary staff cannot be found in time, figures show. Last year on average 30.3% of shifts created at short notice went unfilled, up on 27.5% the year before. Analysis by Nursing Standard showed that in December...<<Read More>>>

Nurses say hospitals already stretched to the limit

Eight out of ten nurses say patient care is already suffering because of a lack of staff on NHS wards. The survey was conducted by the Royal College of Nursing, suggesting the figures need to be seen in context – many nurses are... <<Read More>>

Chief nursing officer to retire

The Department of Health has announced that the chief nursing officer, Dame Christine Beasley, is to retire. One of Dame Beasley’s main achievements centered around working towards the end for mixed sex wards. Sir David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, said: “Chris... <<Read more>>

RCN appoints deputy president

The Royal College of Nursing has appointed Cecilia Anim as its deputy president. She took up office at the colleges AGM last week. Commenting on her appointment, Cecilia Anim said:  “I am so pleased to have been elected to this role by RCN members, and I am honoured to serve my...

New RCN president to represent the college at the ‘highest level’

The newly elected president of the Royal College of Nursing, Andrea Spyropoulos, has made an impassioned speech to college’s AGM. Apparently speaking without a script, the president thanked her colleagues for all of their help in her election...

Raise concerns over quality of care, RCN tells members

The Royal College of Nursing has told its members to keep raising concerns over the quality of care, if they are worried about standards dropping. The college has provided a dedicated online reporting form and telephone services, where its members can...

Depression and distress going undetected, according to study

A study has shown that nursing staff have trouble picking up on signs of depression and distress in patients.

The study, carried out by University of Leicester, reportedly showed that nurses were not being given enough mental health training...

Campaign draws members’ stories

Royal College of Nursing members are sharing their stories of cuts and their ideas for reducing waste, following the launch of the RCN Frontline First campaign.

The campaign, now in its third week, is designed to highlight examples of budget cuts and the innovative responses of nursing staff towards efficiency savings.

Common themes so far among members’ stories include short staffing, skill-mix dilution...