Following publication of the Government's response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Tom Sandford, Royal College of Nursing, Director, England, said: "We recognise the Government has taken significant steps in recognising and acknowledging the important role of the Human Rights Act in healthcare. However, we are disappointed that it will not be acting more quickly on some of the committee's key recommendations.

"The RCN believes that it is important that human rights are respected in the delivery and planning of all healthcare services. We would urge the government to bring forward legislation quickly to ensure that the Human Rights Act applies across all healthcare settings, including care homes. We look forward to working with the Government on the new Health and Social Care Bill to ensure their commitment to protecting the human rights of older people in healthcare is explicit. Human rights should apply to every patient no matter where they are."

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

Royal College of Nursing