- 13/10/2015
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
Nurses and healthcare support workers from across Wales, including Withybush Hospital, gathered at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay, last month to launch the Royal College of Nursing’s manifesto for next year’s Assembly election.
Time to Care says safe nursing staffing levels must be the priority for the next Welsh Government.
Local AM Joyce Watson discussed the union’s manifesto with Withybush nurse Andrea Mills. Mrs Watson said:
“I welcome the launch of the RCN’s Time to Care manifesto – politicians on all sides must listen to the views and ideas of front-line healthcare professionals.
“As we bring together our manifesto for 2016, the NHS will remain a Welsh Labour priority. The Welsh Government is this year investing £80m to train the next generation of health workers – the number of training places for nurses in 2015-16 will increase by more than a fifth (22%). We must continue to ensure that nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers are supported to deliver the highest standards of care.”
The Royal College of Nursing represents over 24,500 members in the profession in Wales.
As well as ensuring safe staffing levels, the manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to ensure nurses feel valued and safe in work – a recent survey revealed that 50% of staff felt vulnerable at work with almost 10% feeling vulnerable “often or all of the time”.
Gaynor Jones, RCN Council Member for Wales and Chair of the RCN Welsh Board, said ‘All frontline nursing staff want time to care for their patients Nurses are ready to work with Local Health Boards and politicians in Wales to ensure the safety of the patient. Nurses are ready for the challenges that the next few years will bring, because they see it as an opportunity for more joint working and innovations in nursing to take shape. As nurses we have to ensure that our voice is strong and that the public are aware that Time to Care is essential to providing safe, dignified care.”
Tina Donnelly, Director, RCN Wales, said ‘We are proud to present our Manifesto for 2016. We have worked hard with our members to identify and develop policy areas that need addressing. We would urge all politicians in Wales irrespective of their party to read our document and take note of its content. By listening to the ideas of nurses and healthcare support workers we will be able to work together to improve the health of the people of Wales and safeguard healthcare services.’
