Responding to a new report from the Health and Social Care Committee, Susan Masters, RCN Director of Nursing, Policy and Public Affairs, said:
"This report could not come at a more crucial moment; COVID-19 cases and related hospital admissions are rising across the UK.
"We hear from nurses at the forefront of health and care services that, even though much has improved, they are concerned about the level of protection they’ll have this winter. Equally, as this report makes clear, the lack of testing is a key barrier to safe and effective care.
"Unless there is a rapid expansion of testing, health and care staff in all settings must be prioritised with easy-to-access tests.
"Nursing staff feel anxious about the months ahead which is why it is welcome to see this report recommend further action to support their mental and physical wellbeing.
“Health and care staff at all levels must have access to comprehensive psychological support services in which they can have confidence."
On issues of racial inequalities raised in the report
“We support this report’s recommendation for a formal definition of racism and discrimination. This step should make it easier for employers to conduct comprehensive equality analyses. Employers must determine how things like the allocation of shifts, or the fit testing of, and access to, PPE affects BAME health and care workers.
“However the surest way to address the underlying issues of racial discrimination in our profession is through a fully funded, cross-governmental health and race inequalities strategy which is acted upon properly.”
