Petition calls for u-turn on advisers

Pressure is mounting on the Department of Health (DH) to reconsider its controversial plan to axe its team of nurse advisers.

Parliamentary health select committee chair Sarah Wollaston is the latest figure to seek clarity on the future of the nursing, midwifery and allied health professions policy unit.

The DH has refused to elaborate on plans, believed to be part of wider job losses to cut costs by 30% in five years.

At the time of writing, more than 3,000 people had signed an online petition calling for the unit’s salvation.

In parliamentary questions, Dr Wollaston asked health secretary Jeremy Hunt if staff had been consulted, how ministers could continue to receive impartial nursing advice and how nurses would be consulted on DH policy in future.

Deplorable

The plans have been criticised by leading nurses around the world. The International Council of Nurses called the move ‘deplorable’.

The RCN wants an urgent meeting with Mr Hunt following an emergency resolution at congress.

RCN general secretary Janet Davies said: ‘Talented, experienced nursing professionals must be involved in creating health policy, right at the heart of government.’

The petition was set up by journalist and registered nurse Deborah Glover, made an MBE for services to nursing in the 2016 new year’s honours.

Nursing voice

She said: ‘Nursing is going through great change – nursing associates, changes to bursaries and nurses being trained to fill in for junior doctors. A nursing voice at the heart of government is needed now more than ever.’

The DH insisted nurses were heard 'loud and clear' in policymaking.

The petition can be accessed here