Responding to the Labour Party manifesto launch, Acting RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said:
“The millions on waiting lists must be a priority for the next government and an expansion of appointments is desperately needed. Nurses provide the majority of patient care and turning the service around urgently requires more of them.
“New investment and workforce planning will need to quickly go beyond asking current staff to work evenings and weekends. Clinical nurse leaders in the College can advise government on where that investment would be most effective and how to transform patient care.
“The current NHS Long Term Workforce Plan is way off course and nursing staff will have looked today for information on how that will be refreshed with government-funded degrees and financial support for students, which are essential to boost nurse numbers. Greater reassurance is needed alongside a plan to retain NHS staff, including with fair pay - we will be seeking negotiations to start immediately this summer to avoid further delays.
“Investing in social care is key to delivering care close to home and tackling the national emergency in our hospitals. Nursing staff delivering hands-on care in a National Care Service definitely deserve wages higher than £12 per hour. A fair pay agreement should help trade unions win better wages across the sector and root out exploitation.
“Workers’ rights have been under attack and the party is right to pledge to repeal anti-trade union legislation, including minimum service levels proposals aimed at stopping NHS staff speaking up for their patients.”
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