NMC statement in response to Healthwatch England report on emergency care

Responding to the Healthwatch England report on peoples’ experiences of using urgent and emergency care services, Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar at the NMC, said:

“We know urgent and emergency care environments can be overwhelming both for professionals and the people who use these services. Everyone who enters A&E has the right to expect and receive high quality care.

“It’s encouraging that Healthwatch England’s research reveals many people find professionals to be kind, dedicated and highly skilled. However, it’s difficult to read that others felt undignified and dehumanised while waiting to be assessed or treated. In today’s health and care system, it’s unacceptable that anyone should feel this way.

“As a regulator, we’re here to support nurses, midwives and nursing associates to provide safe, effective and kind care. Our Code and standards guide them to do this by promoting the importance of; excellent communication skills, accurately assessing health needs, making timely referrals, and treating people with respect and compassion.

“There were also many concerns around workforce pressures and how this impacted the quality of care people received. Sustained investment in staffing and long-term workforce planning, is vital in helping us solve these issues. It’s going to take everyone, including regulators, professionals and employers, to deliver these improvements within emergency departments and the whole health and care sector.”

Read the Healthwatch England report on peoples’ experiences of using urgent and emergency care services