RCN welcomes emergency services review

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has reacted positively to news that the government will be making efforts to simplify the current system of urgent and emergency care in England.

RCN chief executive and general secretary Dr Peter Carter said the organisation supports the move to provide more care at home and away from hospitals, but warned that greater investment in community services is needed.

Dr Carter said it would be advisable to introduce a tiered system for specialist and emergency care that would involve greater use of walk-in centres and out-of-hours primary care services.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring there are adequate numbers of healthcare staff to deliver the best possible standard of care, given the growing challenges the NHS will face over the coming decades.

Dr Carter said: "Many of the problems currently being experienced in urgent and emergency care are caused by an increased demand and a reduction in the number of beds in the acute sector."

This comes after the RCN raised concerns over recent cuts to staffing levels earlier this month in a response to the government's mid-term review report on the NHS.