the way that some disadvantaged BME nurses approach care and the way in which they communicate? Do patients have a right to have care delivered in some sort of culturally standard way? Indeed, is that possible? Instead of just saying that lack of career progression among BME nurses is down to discrimination, it is refreshing to identify the low tolerance of cultural variations as a factor. It would be interesting to hear more from Professor David and others about the factors among BME nurses that may be resulting in discrimination. Communication is fundamental, and Professor David is spot-on in calling for better support to help recruits from abroad, along with training in delivering care in unfamiliar settings and in ways that may be different from that in their own countries. Sadly, I have little confidence that employers or the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or even nurses in general, will be prepared to invest the necessary time, effort and money. Name and address supplied
PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES ARE HIT HARD BY FUNDING CUTBACKS Thank you for publishing Ken Mack’s letter (March 5) drawing attention to the suffering and distress caused by welfare reforms and cutbacks, and how people with disabilities and their families are being hit particularly hard. Mr Mack is a vocal campaigner for the rights of people with disabilities. As the parent of two grown-up children with disabilities, he speaks with some authority. The government’s funding cuts are taking their toll on some of the most vulnerable people in society, many of whom are not getting the help they need just to live their daily lives. Families who care for people with disabilities are under intolerable strain. Funds have been diverted from the NHS to prop up social care, but the sector is under great strain, leading to a huge drop in the number of people in the UK getting the care they need.
NURSING STANDARD
Local authorities are now only able to provide help if the person’s needs have been assessed as being ‘substantial’ or above. Those with needs classed as ‘low’ or ‘moderate’ do not get any help. Too many people with disabilities are being left to fend for themselves when they need care and support. The cost to the NHS, particularly with emergency admissions to hospital, must be immense. Charlie Hughes, Wolverhampton
CANADIAN NURSES LAUNCH TV CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT It is good to read that nurses in Ontario, Canada, have set up a campaign under the banner ‘More nurses, better care!’ (News March 5), urging the public to join the fight for more nurses in the province. More than 1,000 nursing posts have been lost in Ontario in the past two years. The multimedia campaign launched by the Ontario Nurses’ Association is even running TV advertisements to raise awareness of the need to boost nurse numbers. I wish them well in their campaign. It will be one to watch – and perhaps emulate here. We could do with countering some of the negative news and cuts in the UK that are so sapping our morale and damaging patient care. Scott Parker, by email
PLANNING FOR A REUNION OF THE 1984 INTAKE AT CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL Calling everyone from the August 1984 intake at London’s Charing Cross Hospital – might you be interested in a 30th anniversary reunion some time later this year? Please email me at robert.tunmore@ dh.gsi.gov.uk or contact me on Twitter @RTunmore to get in touch. Robert Tunmore, by email
REUNIONS Are you planning a reunion or trying to trace former colleagues? Email [email protected] with the details and we will post them at www.nursing-standard.co.uk
TWEETS OF THE WEEK The problem in recent years has not been with the RB system, but govt interference. The RB should be left alone to do its job @NSeditor
What’s happening to our nurse profession? It’s truly awful – everyone from private healthcare firms to journalists shaping our destiny @archangelioli
Resilience depends on environmental factors – staff, time, management, safety, quality affected by it. Managers take note! @e1ucidate
I’m new band 7 but actually have had a cut in my take home salary. Much worse off than 5yrs ago #NScomment @NickNacksenior
Nursing skills: assessing, implementing, evaluating, eye rolling @Wolv_RN
I have just completed the online survey at @nmcnews in regards to revalidation. It’s a must do for all nurses to influence this! #NMC #Nurse @LovelyClaireyA
A true Leader does not seek to climb the ladder. Instead, they hold the ladder steady while others climb it #nurse #leadership @Bartontd
Follow Nursing Standard @NScomment and join the #NScomment chat on Thursdays at 12.30pm march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014 33
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PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES ARE HIT HARD BY FUNDING CUTBACKS Thank you for publishing Ken Mack’s letter (March 5) drawing attention to the suffering and distress caused by welfare reforms and cutbacks, and how people with disabilities and their families are being hit particularly hard. Mr Mack is a vocal campaigner for the rights of people with disabilities. As the parent of two grown-up children with disabilities, he speaks with some authority. The government’s funding cuts are taking their toll on some of the most vulnerable people in society, many of whom are not getting the help they need just to live their daily lives. Families who care for people with disabilities are under intolerable strain. Funds have been diverted from the NHS to prop up social care, but the sector is under great strain, leading to a huge drop in the number of people in the UK getting the care they need.
NURSING STANDARD
Local authorities are now only able to provide help if the person’s needs have been assessed as being ‘substantial’ or above. Those with needs classed as ‘low’ or ‘moderate’ do not get any help. Too many people with disabilities are being left to fend for themselves when they need care and support. The cost to the NHS, particularly with emergency admissions to hospital, must be immense. Charlie Hughes, Wolverhampton
CANADIAN NURSES LAUNCH TV CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT It is good to read that nurses in Ontario, Canada, have set up a campaign under the banner ‘More nurses, better care!’ (News March 5), urging the public to join the fight for more nurses in the province. More than 1,000 nursing posts have been lost in Ontario in the past two years. The multimedia campaign launched by the Ontario Nurses’ Association is even running TV advertisements to raise awareness of the need to boost nurse numbers. I wish them well in their campaign. It will be one to watch – and perhaps emulate here. We could do with countering some of the negative news and cuts in the UK that are so sapping our morale and damaging patient care. Scott Parker, by email
PLANNING FOR A REUNION OF THE 1984 INTAKE AT CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL Calling everyone from the August 1984 intake at London’s Charing Cross Hospital – might you be interested in a 30th anniversary reunion some time later this year? Please email me at robert.tunmore@ dh.gsi.gov.uk or contact me on Twitter @RTunmore to get in touch. Robert Tunmore, by email
REUNIONS Are you planning a reunion or trying to trace former colleagues? Email [email protected] with the details and we will post them at www.nursing-standard.co.uk
TWEETS OF THE WEEK The problem in recent years has not been with the RB system, but govt interference. The RB should be left alone to do its job @NSeditor
What’s happening to our nurse profession? It’s truly awful – everyone from private healthcare firms to journalists shaping our destiny @archangelioli
Resilience depends on environmental factors – staff, time, management, safety, quality affected by it. Managers take note! @e1ucidate
I’m new band 7 but actually have had a cut in my take home salary. Much worse off than 5yrs ago #NScomment @NickNacksenior
Nursing skills: assessing, implementing, evaluating, eye rolling @Wolv_RN
I have just completed the online survey at @nmcnews in regards to revalidation. It’s a must do for all nurses to influence this! #NMC #Nurse @LovelyClaireyA
A true Leader does not seek to climb the ladder. Instead, they hold the ladder steady while others climb it #nurse #leadership @Bartontd
Follow Nursing Standard @NScomment and join the #NScomment chat on Thursdays at 12.30pm march 12 :: vol 28 no 28 :: 2014 33
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Dec 07, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
