Candidates urged not to ignore nurses' "powerful and determined" voice

Monday 05 October 2020

This week's General Election is a "massive opportunity" for the States to start listening to Guernsey's nursing profession, the leading industry body has said in a statement of intent.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has launched its own mini-manifesto on the health and nursing issues members would like candidates to address.

The manifesto was shared with candidates who attended the first RCN hustings and again last week when candidates were asked sign up to becoming a 'Nursing Champion'.

The six manifesto focusses on leadership, careers, terms and conditions, pay parity, future proofing and healthcare regulation.

"The General Election is a massive opportunity for our members to really challenge the candidates on how they plan to support the nursing profession over the course of their term," said RCN Regional Director Patricia Marquis. 

"Pay is one of several equally important issues that are more than nursing; they are issues that will affect each and every person on Guernsey in some way or another."

Pictured: Nurses want an immediate commitment from the States to appoint a new Chief Nurse "as a matter of urgency." Professor Juliet Beal stood down earlier this year for health reasons and has not been replaced. 

Ms Marquis reminded candidates that the local nursing profession was on the brink of industrial action before the pandemic hit - action that had been curtailed by nurses' professionalism and commitment to the community. 

“The hustings' we held were a real eye opener into what some candidates did, or in some cases, didn’t know about nursing. We hope that even more candidates will take the opportunity to speak to members and hear first-hand why nursing matters and why they should commit to become a nursing champion.

“Before Covid-19 hit, members were working with us to drawn up detailed strike plans and were fully intent on walking out at the end of March. The nursing voice is powerful and determined on Guernsey.”

The RCN Manifesto in full:

VALUING NURSING

Leadership. An immediate commitment to recruit and appoint a Chief Nurse, as recommended by the NMC (2014) extraordinary review, as a matter of urgency. 

Careers. The promotion of nursing as an attractive career option through a commitment to  adequate funding for nurse education and continuing professional development. 

PAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Terms & Conditions review. To review nursing pay terms & conditions using the States commissioned Royles Review (2018) as the basis for discussions in partnership with Trade Unions.

Pay Parity. Eliminate the current inequity in pay experienced by nurses in comparison to other public sector workers, within a three-year period during the first States’ term of office.

HEALTH AND CARE PROVISION

Futureproofing. Provision to be made at strategic and operational levels to accommodate the increasing needs for mental health, learning disability, community & elderly care services.

Healthcare regulation. To ensure high quality safe health and care provision in Guernsey, continue development and implementation of an appropriate regulatory framework as approved by the States in 2019.