Strive for gold standard holistic care, nurses told

Nurses must strive for gold standard care, but should not be too self-critical if they do not achieve it.

This was the message from Claire Picton of North West London branch, who told RCN congress: 'Safe care is fine as long as it's holistic.'

During a discussion at congress in Glasgow's SECC today, nurses debated whether holistic care is realistic or desirable.

Ms Picton said that to care for other people, nurses must care for themselves. 'So take breaks, use the toilet when you have to and go home on time. These are the things you should be doing.'

Staffing levels

Tom Murray of Devon branch said that just because the holistic care model had been around for 200 years, it is not time to ditch it. 

'Holistic care is essential,' he said. 'We must provide it, and it is not dependent on staffing levels.'

Summing up, Tracey Risebrow of Suffolk branch said the consensus is that holistic care is desirable and realistic. 'But it's only by working in multidisciplinary teams that we can truly achieve it.'

Further information:

RCN congress: holistic care debate