RCN response to the UK Govt's announcement of £135bn extra funding for Primary Care Trusts

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 15 Feb 2005 - 5:00 PDT

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General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Dr Beverly Malone, said: "We welcome John Reid's announcement, and hope that it will be a significant step forward in improving the nation's health. We are encouraged to see it addressing many of the RCN's concerns, including the need for more school nurses, the establishment of community matrons, and tackling public health issues such as obesity and health inequalities.

"But, it is crucial that this money is spent where it is needed most on patient care and not more bureaucracy. It will be a huge challenge to raise the number of school nurses to an acceptable level and this will cost money. We would also want to see money spent on recruiting the large number of community matrons that are needed, and addressing the changing roles of district nurses.

"This announcement is an encouraging development, and shows that the Government is listening to what we are saying, and moving in the right direction."

Notes to Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php

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.

Press release from the Royal College of Nursing, UK

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