POLICY: Proposals for an offence of wilful neglect or ill-treatment in health and social care settings

The RCN Scotland response to the Scottish Government consultation on proposals for an offence of wilful neglect or ill-treatment in health and social care settings

The RCN would never condone the wilful neglect or ill-treatment of a patient by a nurse. Such conduct goes against the fundamental tenets of health and social care professionalism and the ethical duty of care that all health and social care professionals have towards their patients and social care users. However, this response set out our primary concern that the creation of a new criminal offence will detract from the wider aim of encouraging greater openness in health care when something goes wrong, which we know enhances patient safety.

If you have any comments or would like to find out more information then please contact the RCN Scotland Policy team by emailing them at policyscotland@rcn.org.uk or by filling in the attached feedback form and sending it to Policy, RCN Scotland, 42 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2HH