Responding to the Budget Statement, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said:
"England's NHS and social care system is ailing and the Budget did not put it on a better path. Jeremy Hunt is on the record less than a year ago raising the alarm over the greatest workforce crisis in NHS history but as Chancellor he is not yet gripping it.
“The Chancellor found billions to cut fuel duties but left those working in health and care with little assurance they will get the funding that is urgently required.
"Without staff, the NHS cannot plan for recovery in patient and public services - yet there was only a passing reference to the long-awaited workforce plan.
“The Chancellor will know ill health and NHS waiting lists are a primary driver of economic inactivity.
"Only by investing in the NHS and those who keep it running, will we have a healthy population to boost the economy."
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