News

The closing date for the questionnaire is 18th January 2013.

The RCN is taking part in several marches across the UK as part of the fight against key issues affecting the health service.

The Daily Mirror reports that North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has asked nurses, receptionists and admin staff to accept new terms which would stop them being paid overtime when covering for ill staff.

Today’s Daily Mirror reports on evidence that A&E waiting times are increasing.

The RCGP has warned that the number of people using private health treatment is rising because the NHS is cutting back on a range of treatments. A third of GPs questioned said the proportion of patients who had asked about paying for private treatment had increased compared with a year ago.

The Daily Telegraph today reports that the NHS is heading for "disaster" because nursing training places are being cut even though record numbers of nurses are set to retire and the population is ageing.

A new report by the Audit Commission has revealed that NHS organisations in England reported a combined underspend and surplus of £1.6m in 2011-12. It also revealed that the number of NHS trusts with a deficit has more than doubled from 13 to 31 in a year.

The Guardian reports that many NHS staff are still unaware about what the government’s health reforms will mean.

BBC Online, BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Press Association and the Guardian have all covered the RCN’s ‘Frontline First’ concerns that the introduction of regional pay in the south west will impact on patient care and result in health professionals moving away.

The Royal College of Nursing has today submitted its response in opposition to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) proposal to increase fees by 58 per cent.