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RCN Wales launches manifesto ahead of assembly elections

The RCN in Wales calls on Welsh assembly members to prioritise safe nurse staffing levels

Pledging to maintain the current ‘safe’ number of nurses in the country must be the first priority for the next Welsh Government, RCN members has told politicians standing for election to the country's national assembly.

RCN Wales launched its Time to Care manifesto at the Senedd in Cardiff on September 22 ahead of next year's assembly elections.

Voters will head to the polls on May 5 and the RCN wants politicians from all parties to commit to defending several key policies.

Safe nurse staffing levels should be given the highest priority, the college's Welsh manifesto says. It is based on a survey of RCN members held earlier this year. 

Other policy priorities are ensuring dignity and quality in the personal care delivered to patients in their homes and seeing that nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers receive fair pay, protection from violence and access to ongoing development training.

Gaynor Jones, RCN council member for Wales and chair of the RCN Welsh board, said: ‘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.'