Asking for the nursing care we all deserve

Sir, – As a nurse of almost 30 years. I believe that everyone deserves to have access to safe, highquality health and social care services.

However, Scotland does not have the nursing staff it needs to enable them to provide that care for everyone in a safe way.

Across the Tayside area, I see and hear concerns from members on a daily basis about the pressures that nursing teams are under and the impact that staff shortages can have on their services.

NHS Scotland recently published statistics that show that within NHS Tayside, 5.1% nursing and midwifery posts are vacant.

It is time for a change. We, and our loved ones, deserve safe, high-quality care.

The Royal College of Nursing is calling for more, for nursing teams and their patients and I would encourage everyone – patients, nurses, heath care assistants and all NHS Tayside staff – to sign up and show their support at www.rcn.org.uk/ askformore.

Over the coming months the Scottish Parliament will be considering the Health and Care (Staffing) Scotland Bill.

This bill is an opportunity to secure change and enshrine safe staffing within the law.

The right legislation can help to ensure the right staff, in the right place, at the right time.

This is what our patients deserve and should have the right to expect.

That’s why I’m asking your readers to make their voices heard, so their expectations are met in reality.

Please join me in asking for more, to empower us to deliver better and safer care for all.

Martin MacGregor. RCN Scotland board member, Tayside Area, Ambleside Gardens, Dundee.