Royal College of Nursing

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is a professional body and trade union representing nurses in the UK. Recent news highlights the RCN's concerns regarding the state of the National Health Service (NHS) and its workforce. The RCN's analysis of NHS data reveals a significant increase in patients leaving A&E departments without treatment, attributing this to soaring demand and long wait times. The organization has also drawn attention to alarming levels of abuse, harassment, and bullying experienced by NHS staff, as indicated by the NHS staff survey. Furthermore, the RCN has criticized the imposed 3.3% pay rise for NHS staff in England, deeming it an 'insult' and a 'betrayal' given current inflation levels. The RCN's commentary on the drop in overseas nurses entering the UK underscores the severity of workforce shortages and its potential impact on patient care, making the organization a key voice in debates about the NHS's future.