At an event this week, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and the party’s health and social care spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP met with RCN members.The event was chaired by RCN President Sheilabye Sobrany with RCN Chief Nurse Professor Nicola Ranger also there. Members were able to speak openly, but confidentially, about their concerns for the nursing profession, in the hope of influencing political commitments made in the run-up to the general election.
Daisy shared her gratitude to nursing staff and added that her party has been consistent on the need for a pay increase “as close to inflation as possible”.
On retention, members noted increasing pressure on primary care and district nursing, and raised concerns over ethical international recruitment. They also expressed the need for government accountability for the NHS workforce to be implemented within safe staffing legislation.
The event was part of a series of political summits the RCN hosted for its members.
In January, we held a similar event with Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP and in March members spoke with Deputy Leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski.
Closing the event, Sheila thanked Daisy for attending and expressed her gratitude to members for sharing their experiences.
She said: “Over the course of four events, members have made their voices heard with representatives from the main UK political parties. As we look towards the next general election, our members will be calling on politicians to make good on the commitments they’ve given and deliver for nursing.
“Our discussion with Daisy Cooper has highlighted the range of practical solutions parliamentarians can implement that would make a real difference to the nursing profession and to patients. Our members continue to show great enthusiasm for nursing and wanting to deliver the very best.”
