New Health Board Must Have Strong Nursing Input, Northern Ireland

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 08 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Responding to the Health Minister's announcement on the new structures for health and social care in Northern Ireland, Mary Hinds, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Northern Ireland Director said:

"We welcome the fact that the minister has ended this period of uncertainty and outlined his proposals for a new Regional Health and Social Care Board and five Local Commissioning Groups. In particular, we are pleased that locally elected representatives, voluntary and community groups will have an input into these groups.

"We welcome the Minister's comments that effective commissioning is the link between policy and delivery on the ground. Nurses are fundamental to making this happen and ensuring that patients and communities get the services they need. The priority for nurses and nursing is the delivery of high quality care and treatment that is appropriate to need, can prevent illness and tackle inequalities. Nurses must be represented from the bedside to the boardroom and anything less than this is wholly unacceptable.

"The Minister has acknowledged the willingness and commitment of staff to making this process work and we look forward to working with our colleagues in health and social care to ensure that the patients we work so closely with get the health and social care services they need and deserve."

Royal College of Nursing