RCN Welcomes WHO Surgical Safety Checklist Requirement

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 18 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Commenting on the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) requirement for all hospitals in England and Wales to implement the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist by February 2010, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

"It is welcome news to hear that the WHO checklist will be a requirement by February 2010. The checklist is a simple yet effective initiative which will significantly reduce the risk of complications and even death as a result of surgery. Nurses, and other healthcare professionals, strive to maintain best practice at all times - the introduction of the checklist will help in achieving this fundamental aim."

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

Royal College of Nursing