The RCN are welcoming extra funding so that they can increase the number of apprenticeships to over 2,000 per year but they are saying now that more needs to be done so that they can achieve the 50,000 new nursing staff that have been promised by the Prime Minister. Extra government funding isn’t going far enough and the Department for Health and Social Care have announced that healthcare employers are going to be incentivised to take on the move. At the same time, they have reiterated that there needs to be an end to the self-funded tuition fees and that universal maintenance grants need to be filled out so that thousands of vacancies can be filled.

There has been a new online series launched that has been done by the RCN. Those who work as part of an nursing recruitment agency or those who are seeking nursing jobs may find this of special interest because it starts the conversation about race, structural discrimination and even inequality across the nursing profession.

Student nurses who are part of the Spring Cohort are going to have to wait until next year before they can benefit from the new maintenance grant. This is being introduced in September and some believe that they have been misled. Those who have been affected have told the Nursing Times that they feel as though this is a kick in the teeth for homecare and private nursing workers as well. The government however have insisted that they have made the arrangements from the get-go.

Overseas nurses who want to come to the UK and work are now going to be eligible for reduced fees. They are also going to be given a fast-track entry to the country as well. This is all part of the health care and visa system. The government have confirmed this news and it looks like they are doing everything they can to try and support the nursing community. This is of course, going to cross-over to those who work in private nursing and also homecare too, so is great news. Priti Patel has confirmed that there are going to be even more details about the Brexit-points system and this is going to come into effect on New Year’s Day. This is when the freedom of movement act ends.

The number of deaths for British healthcare workers during the pandemic looks to have been raised as a major concern for the Amnesty International. This is being done in a new report and it looks like things are really moving forward right now.

The exemption to the health surcharge for professionals working overseas is now going to come into force right away. It is also going to be backdated all the way back to March 31st. The government have confirmed this and so many people are happy with the result. Ministers have offered even more details about the scheme after they have come under pressure from numerous unions. It came right after the Prime Minister’s pledge to scrap the fee for social care professionals and for health professionals too. This would of course, also apply to those who work in private nursing and in homecare.

PPE supplies are vital. Staff who are part of the private nursing sector or even the homecare sector are not being given the help that they need right now, and this is not good at all. Efforts are being done to try and make sure that nurses have the right protection and millions of items have been ramped up in an attempt to support those across the country. Meanwhile, the army have stepped in to try and make sure that the right help is being distributed.

They are taking urgent action to try and make sure that the frontline staff feel somewhat supported in this national emergency. Over the last few days, it would appear that over 200 organisations have now received fresh supplies that include face masks. When you look at every GP practice and even dental surgery, you will soon find that they have had their stock replenished as well.

This weeks’ plans are now in place to try and make sure that everyone has sterile masks and that home care providers also have the support they need too. It has been announced that the Army are going to try and manage and even offload PPE supplies to try and help the NHS to cope during this outbreak. The National Stockpile have also been reserving supplies to try and make sure that everything is being done to try and make sure that all of the right products are reserved. People have stated that there is going to be an adequate supply of PPE. Urgent action needs to be taken in order to make sure that staff are being supported as much as possible during this very difficult hour, but at the end of the day, only time will tell what is going to happen next.

Male nurses may be asked if they can shave their beards and any other facial hair to try and make sure that face masks fit properly. This is according to the NHS guidance. They have also been warned though that this could discriminate against those who work in private nursing or homecare because of local faith groups. They need to work out how to approach the issue going forward.

The RCN have called the government to try and support those who are returning to the NHS and the people who have worked there for quite some time. They want to make sure that they are given the right resources to try and handle the pandemic as the coronavirus moves through the country. The statement that has been released is essentially a three-point plan which is going to help manage the virus outbreak. £30 billion has been pledged so far and this is going to try and stop businesses from suffering. It is going to stop people from losing their jobs as well, as a result of the virus. The NHS have been promised a good chunk of this funding to try and make sure that they can bring back any retired staff. If you work in homecare or if you want to join the private nursing sector, then you should know that more needs to be done to try and give support to those who need it. An extra £6 billion is going to be given to the NHS England to try and fund GP surgeries and any new appointments that are being made. Health care commitments are now being more focused than ever on some of the frontline services. After all, they need to be given the support that they need to function properly, and they also need to be given the government’s support regarding nurses and those who have autism/learning disabilities.

Of course, everyone is doing everything they can at this given moment but some worry that it is not enough and that more needs to be done in order to make sure that the outbreak is being stopped. If not, then it could have a much bigger impact on the country.

A lot of people have written to the Prime Minister to try and ensure that his intervention is offered given the supply of PPE for staff during this current pandemic. The letter comes after a lack of PPE equipment was given to the frontline staff. People are calling for the equipment to be delivered to GP surgeries and even care homes.

The letter has called on the Prime Minister to see if they can increase the amount of tests that are being done for the virus and for nursing staff as well. This is being made so that those who have the possible symptoms of Covid 19 are able to know if they are actually infected or not. In the letter, the RCN chief stated that the members have been unstinting in their professionalism and their dedication to try and keep the healthcare sector in the UK growing. At the end of the day though, they need to make sure that they are being given the support that they need in return. Those who are part of the homecare sector or even the private nursing sector will know more than anyone how difficult the times are right now and what needs to be done in
order to ensure that the staff do not go unprotected.

The Prime Minister has been told that the members have gone to the ends of the earth in order to ensure the safety of others and that they have to be supported. This is mainly targeted to those who are coming out of retirement, but at the end of the day it really does apply to the whole sector. Only time will tell if something is going to be done but right now, people are hopeful.