Briefing

A round-up of news from the professional journals

Value of nurses

RCN general secretary Beverly Malone has accused the health service of
treating nurses like "quiet and nice little girls" who should accept
whatever they are given. Malone said it is now time for nurses to be valued
properly.

Nursing Standard
19 August 2002

Healthcare assistants’ pay

Healthcare assistants will be able to earn more than qualified nurses under
the new pay and grading system for NHS staff, according to Unison. The RCN
disputes the claim, but Unison lead negotiator Paul Marks says that under the
new system some experienced HCAs with vocational qualifications will earn more
than nurses.

Nursing Standard
3 September 2002

Drug administration

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A survey of GP practices has found that just under half do not have
arrangements in place to allow nurses to independently administer drugs and
vaccines. Under the Patient Group Direction Protocol, all practices are
required by the Government to issue guidance under which nurses can administer
certain drugs without asking a doctor to sign a prescription. But a study by
the Medical Defence Union found only 42 per cent of practices have such
protocols in place.

Nursing Times
2 September 2002