Local MP Celebrates Nurses' Day

11.51.38am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 12th May 2006

As National Nurses' Day approaches, local MP, Andrew Stunell has praised the profession and has criticised the Government for the £20 million shortfall facing Stockport NHS that puts nurses jobs, and patients at risk.

National Nurses' Day is held annually on the 12 May, the date of Florence Nightingale's birthday, and brings nurses from across the UK together to celebrate nursing and encourage others to join the profession.

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"Nurses play a vital role in our society, providing health care and health promotion to everyone. I am delighted to support Nurses' Day and highlight the huge difference Stockport nurses make each day to countless lives.

"Yet with the cash crisis facing the NHS, I am extremely worried about the impact the deficits will have on nursing jobs and patient care. Already NHS trusts are freezing posts, delaying treatment and issuing compulsory redundancies to nurses and other healthcare staff.

"I am calling on the Government to take urgent action to prevent long-term damage to patient care through the effects of short-term cuts."

ENDS

Notes to editors: For more information about Nurses' Day please contact the RCN media team on 0207 647 3633