Female nurse in discussion with a colleague

RCN: A wake-up call to invest in the nursing workforce

Following the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual report, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has issued a plea for further investment into the nursing workforce, highlighting the strain which has been caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The report investigated the state of health and social care services in England over the past year and praised the efforts of nursing staff caring in the pandemic.

However, it also highlighted how Covid-19 has led to greater inequalities in patient care and demonstrated a clear and urgent need for reform, investment and workforce planning.

Particularly in social care, the pandemic has not only exposed pre-existing problems, but exacerbated many of them.

Already a fragile sector, it faced significant challenges around access to PPE, testing and staffing – while co-ordinated support was less readily available than for the NHS.

Similarly, it demonstrated the disparate impact Covid-19 was having on those already likely to have poorer health outcomes, including people from deprived areas and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

As such, the report stressed the importance of ensuring health and care services were more closely designed around people’s individual needs.

Responding to the report, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the RCN, Dame Donna Kinnair, said: “This report demonstrates the pressures nursing staff witness every day.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has magnified the inequalities faced by many in the health and care system. For many, such as those from BAME communities, access to services has only got worse.

“The lack of investment in areas such as social care has pushed services to the edge putting the care of patients at real risk.

“This should be a wake-up call which leads to a truly integrated health and care system that puts the long-term care of patients at its heart.

“There now needs to be proper investment in the entire workforce so patients can receive high quality care wherever and whenever they need it.

“We share the view that this needs to include training and progression that retains the skilled and experienced nursing workforce we already have, but also attracts new nurses to grow the workforce for the long-term.

“Now is the time for the government to act to protect patients, staff and the long-term ability of the health and care system to deliver the care patients need.”

NHE Nov/Dec 2023

NHE Nov/Dec 2023

AI is key in helping dementia patients live independently for longer.

The Nov/Dec 2023 edition of NHE brings you expert comment and analysis on a range of key health sector topics, from digital transformation to navigating post-pandemic challenges.

Videos...

View all videos
National Health Executive Presents

National Health Executive Presents

NHE365 Virtual Events

NHE has created a full calendar of events to address the most important issues that influence the delivery of healthcare services. Over 365 days you'll have the opportunity to hear from a range of highly motivating, informative and inspirational speakers. These speakers will equip you with the knowledge and unique insight to enable you to overcome the challenges that you face.

National Health Executive Podcast

Ep 39.
What makes a good NHS manager? with Anthony Painter, Director of Policy at Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

In episode 39 of the National Health Executive podcast, we were joined by Anthony Painter, who is the director of policy at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), to discuss all things management within the UK health sector and NHS.
 

During the podcast, Anthony shared some of the recent research CMI conducted in partnership with the Social Market Foundation, which centred around the state of management and leadership within the NHS.

More articles...

View all