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NEWS RELEASE FROM THE
REGISTERED NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION

Issued 12th February 2002

CONSCIENTIOUS NURSES OVERLOOKED
BY UNBALANCED REPORT - RNHA CLAIM

The Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA) said today it was gravely disappointed that a Health Which? article about a small number of nursing home nurses reported for alleged misconduct had not contained a single word or comment from a nurse or manager directly employed in the sector.

The association, which represents around 1,000 nursing homes across the UK, said that the article 'lacked the basic fundamentals of fair and balanced journalism'.

Speaking for the RNHA, chief executive officer Frank Ursell said: "No-one would condone poor quality nursing or management, whether that occurs in the independent sector or in the NHS. Indeed, our association is keen to promote and support the highest possible standards of nursing care.

"But if Health Which? wanted to present a balanced and realistic picture, why did it not present examples of the thousands of homes where high quality care is provided day in day out? Why did it not publish a cross section of the thousands of letters of appreciation that nursing homes receive each year from patients' relatives? Why did it not give its readers a glimpse of the hundreds of training courses attended by nursing and other care staff to extend and improve their skills?"

He added: "Health Which? draws attention to 36 cases of alleged misconduct by nursing home nurses over a 12-month period. That is out of 55,000 nurses working in registered care homes. Whilst it could be argued that these are 36 cases too many, they are a tiny proportion out of the total. The vast majority of our nurses are extremely hard working, committed and caring professionals. Health Which? does not appear to be interested in them."

The RNHA is surprised that Health Which? has taken such a one-sided stance and will be asking for the record to be put straight. Said Mr Ursell: "It is extremely dispiriting to the vast majority of conscientious nurses and care staff working in over 5,000 nursing homes across the country to have their reputations tarnished by implication. We owe it to them to ensure that the other side of the story is heard."

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For further information please contact: Frank Ursell, Chief Executive Officer, RNHA
Tel: 0121-454 2511 or mobile 07785 227000