Responding to a new report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into the financial sustainability of the NHS, RCN Acting Chief Executive and General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said:
“Without a significant investment into nursing, and at least £1bn per year into higher education for nurses, the NHS will struggle to attract and retain the next generation of nurses and the government’s long-term plan will struggle to succeed.
“Patients deserve a fully-funded workforce plan, based on the needs of the population. To ensure that this is delivered, legal accountability for delivering safe staffing levels across health and social care needs to be built in to the system at the highest levels.”
ENDS
- Find out more about the RCN’s campaign for safe staffing in England here.
- The RCN is calling for the Government to invest at least £1 billion in nursing higher education. Find out more here.
