More District Nurses Needed if NHS to Succeed

4.00.07pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Nov 2007

Despite the Government's claim to be embracing more community based services the numbers of District nurses have declined markedly.

Jenny Randerson AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson said "Community Health Services seem to be going backward not forwards. Since 1999 there has been a decline in District nurses of over 10% - from 1003 to 896.

"District Nurses are fundamental to the 'Designed for Life' vision - especially if we are to deal with problems such as delayed transfers of care highlighted in last weeks Auditor General's Report

"When I challenged the First Minister on District Nurse Numbers he inferred that numbers were increasing through Practice and School nurses but they do not reach out to a community in the same way. For instance they do not go into people's homes to nurse them back to health following hospital discharge.The numbers of District Nurses must be increased if health aspirations are to be achieved."

Notes:

Jenny today asked a First Minister's Question on "Designed for Life" Priorities

Ends/diwedd