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Nurses welcome Brown to congress Nurses welcome Brown to congress
(about 2 hours later)
Nurses have never known anything like it.Nurses have never known anything like it.
Never in the 93-year-history of the Royal College of Nursing has a prime minister addressed its annual conference.Never in the 93-year-history of the Royal College of Nursing has a prime minister addressed its annual conference.
Indeed, over the last 20 years or so there has only been a couple of visits by opposition leaders - the last of which was from William Hague in 2000.Indeed, over the last 20 years or so there has only been a couple of visits by opposition leaders - the last of which was from William Hague in 2000.
So perhaps it is unsurprising that even amid the furore over MP expenses both Gordon Brown and David Cameron got standing ovations during their appearances at the union's Harrogate conference on Monday.So perhaps it is unsurprising that even amid the furore over MP expenses both Gordon Brown and David Cameron got standing ovations during their appearances at the union's Harrogate conference on Monday.
There is not one family in Britain that is not touched by the care and compassion that comes from the National Health Service Mr BrownThere is not one family in Britain that is not touched by the care and compassion that comes from the National Health Service Mr Brown
Ruth Mayers, who works in a walk-in centre in Oldham, said: "It means a lot to have them here.Ruth Mayers, who works in a walk-in centre in Oldham, said: "It means a lot to have them here.
"It sends a message that nursing is important and I think that is why they were both warmly received.""It sends a message that nursing is important and I think that is why they were both warmly received."
As two men who have lost children, both the prime minister and the Tory leader have spoken before on the way the NHS has helped them and their families.As two men who have lost children, both the prime minister and the Tory leader have spoken before on the way the NHS has helped them and their families.
And again the warm words flowed.And again the warm words flowed.
Mr Brown said "no profession deserves the title of being the most compassionate".Mr Brown said "no profession deserves the title of being the most compassionate".
"There is not one family in Britain that is not touched by the care and compassion that comes from the National Health Service.""There is not one family in Britain that is not touched by the care and compassion that comes from the National Health Service."
Meanwhile Mr Cameron described nurses as "absolute stars".Meanwhile Mr Cameron described nurses as "absolute stars".
Referring to his son, Ivan, who died earlier this year, he said: "The people who were there for us day in, day out were our local community nurses.Referring to his son, Ivan, who died earlier this year, he said: "The people who were there for us day in, day out were our local community nurses.
"I cannot begin to tell you how important that support was."I cannot begin to tell you how important that support was.
"Not just for the practical things, like finding a special school, arranging for night care, recommending the right treatment, but for the emotional things, too - listening, reassuring, just being there with a friendly face on a difficult day.""Not just for the practical things, like finding a special school, arranging for night care, recommending the right treatment, but for the emotional things, too - listening, reassuring, just being there with a friendly face on a difficult day."
Election promisesElection promises
But with an election a year away at most, both were keen to stress what they wanted to achieve.But with an election a year away at most, both were keen to stress what they wanted to achieve.
The Tory leader promised to abolish "central, top-down" targets, give new protection to whistle-blowers and reform nurse training.The Tory leader promised to abolish "central, top-down" targets, give new protection to whistle-blowers and reform nurse training.
The prime minister was equally keen to point out that his party - after 12 years in power - still had plans to improve the NHS.The prime minister was equally keen to point out that his party - after 12 years in power - still had plans to improve the NHS.
People are being put off becoming nurses Sarah Evans, a student nurse from WrexhamPeople are being put off becoming nurses Sarah Evans, a student nurse from Wrexham
Money was being invested to end mixed-sex accommodation and a major review of social care was under way, he pointed out.Money was being invested to end mixed-sex accommodation and a major review of social care was under way, he pointed out.
Nonetheless, there was still a feeling among the nurses gathered at the conference that both parties - and the Lib Dems for that matter - had a lot of problems to tackle.Nonetheless, there was still a feeling among the nurses gathered at the conference that both parties - and the Lib Dems for that matter - had a lot of problems to tackle.
Both politicians were asked about the financial support being given to students.Both politicians were asked about the financial support being given to students.
The system of bursaries and grants varies across the UK, but the introduction of means-testing and funding cuts has made studying a financial hardship virtually everywhere, the RCN has said.The system of bursaries and grants varies across the UK, but the introduction of means-testing and funding cuts has made studying a financial hardship virtually everywhere, the RCN has said.
Sarah Evans, a student nurse from Wrexham, said: "People are being put off becoming nurses. They are dropping out of the courses. We definitely need more help.Sarah Evans, a student nurse from Wrexham, said: "People are being put off becoming nurses. They are dropping out of the courses. We definitely need more help.
"Without that we could have a real problem in the future with nurse shortages.""Without that we could have a real problem in the future with nurse shortages."
For others, the problems go much further than that though.For others, the problems go much further than that though.
Mental health nurse Anita Murray said: "We are losing sight of the basic skills - caring for the patient.Mental health nurse Anita Murray said: "We are losing sight of the basic skills - caring for the patient.
"We are increasingly being asked to specialise, develop extra skills by carrying out tests and checks or taking management positions."We are increasingly being asked to specialise, develop extra skills by carrying out tests and checks or taking management positions.
"But the patient suffers when they are not fed properly or given the right fluids. The emphasis in training is not right.""But the patient suffers when they are not fed properly or given the right fluids. The emphasis in training is not right."
Alison Sayers, who has just retired from her post in A&E at York Hospital, agreed. "We have to get back to the basics, but the problem is the targets system.Alison Sayers, who has just retired from her post in A&E at York Hospital, agreed. "We have to get back to the basics, but the problem is the targets system.
"The four-hour A&E target interferes with care. You have to think about the clock, not what is right for patients."The four-hour A&E target interferes with care. You have to think about the clock, not what is right for patients.
"We need to focus on outcomes and how the patient recovers. To be fair, it is something both of them recognise I think.""We need to focus on outcomes and how the patient recovers. To be fair, it is something both of them recognise I think."
She also expressed concerns about the future in light of the current economic climate.She also expressed concerns about the future in light of the current economic climate.
"We know there is not a lot of money there. It is going to be tight for the NHS, but savings can be found."We know there is not a lot of money there. It is going to be tight for the NHS, but savings can be found.
"We spend too much on managers, while there are shortages of midwives, radiographers and nurses. It is wrong and morale is suffering.""We spend too much on managers, while there are shortages of midwives, radiographers and nurses. It is wrong and morale is suffering."