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Cameron and Hunt hit back at RCN over nurse training reforms Cameron and Hunt hit back at RCN over nurse training reforms
(5 months later)
The prime minister and health secretary have hit back at the Royal College of Nursing over criticisms of the government's plans to reform nurse training in the wake of the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal.The prime minister and health secretary have hit back at the Royal College of Nursing over criticisms of the government's plans to reform nurse training in the wake of the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal.
Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, accused the RCN, which is staging its annual conference in Liverpool, of allowing its trade union role to trump its duty as a royal college to raise standards within the profession.Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, accused the RCN, which is staging its annual conference in Liverpool, of allowing its trade union role to trump its duty as a royal college to raise standards within the profession.
His comments came after the RCN president, Andrea Spyropoulos, condemned plans to require new recruits to work for 12 months as a healthcare assistant before beginning their nursing training as a "really stupid idea".His comments came after the RCN president, Andrea Spyropoulos, condemned plans to require new recruits to work for 12 months as a healthcare assistant before beginning their nursing training as a "really stupid idea".
But Hunt insisted that many nurses supported the plan, while pointing out that the RCN had come in for criticism in the Francis report on Mid Staffs.But Hunt insisted that many nurses supported the plan, while pointing out that the RCN had come in for criticism in the Francis report on Mid Staffs.
"I think the Royal College of Nurses [sic] has to be very, very careful. They missed what happened at Mid Staffs," he told Sky News."I think the Royal College of Nurses [sic] has to be very, very careful. They missed what happened at Mid Staffs," he told Sky News.
"The Francis report levelled some very serious criticisms at that. It said that they basically allowed their trade union responsibilities to trump their responsibilities as a royal college to raise professional standards."The Francis report levelled some very serious criticisms at that. It said that they basically allowed their trade union responsibilities to trump their responsibilities as a royal college to raise professional standards.
"They have a conflict of interests and I think that, before they start criticising the government for accepting recommendations that are going to improve compassionate care throughout the NHS, they need to answer those very, very serious criticisms themselves."They have a conflict of interests and I think that, before they start criticising the government for accepting recommendations that are going to improve compassionate care throughout the NHS, they need to answer those very, very serious criticisms themselves.
"What nurses on the frontline are saying, a lot of them, particularly the older nurses, is that this was part of nursing training. Why would you want to become a nurse if you were unwilling to spend time washing patients, feeding patients, doing that really vital experience on the frontline?"What nurses on the frontline are saying, a lot of them, particularly the older nurses, is that this was part of nursing training. Why would you want to become a nurse if you were unwilling to spend time washing patients, feeding patients, doing that really vital experience on the frontline?
"We need people to go into nursing with the right motives. Actually having that frontline hands-on experience is a good thing to do.""We need people to go into nursing with the right motives. Actually having that frontline hands-on experience is a good thing to do."
David Cameron also strongly defended the government's approach during a Cameron Direct event in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.David Cameron also strongly defended the government's approach during a Cameron Direct event in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.
"We have said in the light of that report that nurses should spend some time when they are training as healthcare assistants in the hospital really making sure that they are focused on the caring and the quality and some of the quite mundane tasks that are absolutely vital to get right in hospital," the prime minister said."We have said in the light of that report that nurses should spend some time when they are training as healthcare assistants in the hospital really making sure that they are focused on the caring and the quality and some of the quite mundane tasks that are absolutely vital to get right in hospital," the prime minister said.
"And that is going to be controversial but in the end the sort of health service we want is not just about making sure we have got the facts and the figures and the money and everything else spent well, it's the level of care.""And that is going to be controversial but in the end the sort of health service we want is not just about making sure we have got the facts and the figures and the money and everything else spent well, it's the level of care."
Pressed about the RCN's criticism of the reforms, Cameron added: "I think most people in the country, and indeed most nurses in the country, will think that it's right that when we train people to be nurses they spend some time doing hands-on care in hospitals, in care homes, in places where people need care.Pressed about the RCN's criticism of the reforms, Cameron added: "I think most people in the country, and indeed most nurses in the country, will think that it's right that when we train people to be nurses they spend some time doing hands-on care in hospitals, in care homes, in places where people need care.
"I think this is an important reform. It's in tune with what Francis said in terms of the report on Stafford hospital."I think this is an important reform. It's in tune with what Francis said in terms of the report on Stafford hospital.
"I want us to learn the lessons from the Stafford hospital disaster and make sure we train caring nurses now and into the future."I want us to learn the lessons from the Stafford hospital disaster and make sure we train caring nurses now and into the future.
"At the heart of being a great nurse is real care for patients."At the heart of being a great nurse is real care for patients.
"I think what the government is saying today, that all nurses in training should spend time caring for patients, is a good step forward.""I think what the government is saying today, that all nurses in training should spend time caring for patients, is a good step forward."
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