Celebrating 75 years of the NHS

While those involved at the outset would not recognise today’s health and social care environment, the commitment and innovation displayed 75 years ago, is still evident and was clearly on display at our recent RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards.

However, there is much to be done if the determination and willingness to adapt and innovate to best meet the need of patients that is at the heart of our NHS, is to continue and flourish.

This must include the successful implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act, legislation designed to deliver and protect safe staffing levels.

We also need realistic conversations with the public about expectations, access to services and what is achievable. This needs to recognise the important of role health promotion and prevention to support improvements in the overall health of the people of Scotland.

Above all we need sustained investment in nursing.

Investment to grow and develop Scotland’s nursing workforce in both our NHS and in social care – as one can’t function without the other, and to ensure the role of nursing is recognised, valued and appropriately rewarded.

This past year, for the first time in the history of the NHS and the history of the Royal College of Nursing, our members voted in favour of industrial action. The mandate they gave us, and their willingness to stand up for patients and for our profession, secured a Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce.

This Taskforce presents a real opportunity to deliver positive change and secure the nursing workforce Scotland needs. It must look at how we retain experienced nursing staff, attract more people into the profession and ensure nursing is a career of choice once again.