rcn principles

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RCN principles

Q u a l i t y

A c c o u

n t a b i l i t y

E q u a l i t y

P a r t n e r s

h i p

A framework for evaluating health and social care policy



Published by the Royal College of Nursing,20 Cavendish Square,London,W1G 0RN

© 2006 Royal College of Nursing.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any formor by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,without prior permission of the Publishers or a licence permitting restrictedcopying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency,90 Tottenham Court Road,London W1T 4LP. This publication may not be lent, resold,hired out orotherwise disposed of by ways of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published,without the prior consent of the Publishers.



Safety

All health and social care service providersand commissioners, patients, service usersand staff are entitled to exist and functionin a safe environment. Providers andcommissioners should be able todemonstrate how they achieve this.

DignityAll patients,staff, service users and their

families are entitled to be treated withdignity and respect at all times.

StandardsServices provided will be based,wherepossible,on clear, achievable and realisticstandards which explain how, why, whenand where services will be delivered.Staff employed by service providers andcommissioners should be employed onpolicies and procedures which meet bestemployment standards.

SustainabilityServices should be commissioned andprovided in a way that meets immediateneeds without adversely impacting on the

needs of future generations. There should be

comprehensive workforce planningarrangements ensuring an appropriate futureworkforce. This also relates to servicestructure – which shouldbe robust and lasting – and in terms of organisational behaviours, for exampleenvironmentally sensitive procurement,good governance of resources and use of local produce.

CompetenceServices should be delivered by competentpeople who have been educated, trained anddeveloped to function at the highest possiblestandard in line with agreed best practice.Providers and commissioners shoulddemonstrate how they will support,recognise, reward and invest in individualsand teams to achieve this in a coherent,transparent, fair and sustainable way.ResponsibilityService providers should demonstrate howthey are responsible and responsive to thepublic in an accessible, democratic andtransparent way.

R C N P R I N C I P L E S

Quality



Trust

Providers and commissioners of servicesshould inspire public confidence and faith intheir services through their corporate,financial and clinical governance.

LeadershipThe quality of leadership has a direct impacton the quality of service. Providers andcommissioners should be able to

demonstrate clear leadership, theresponsibilities and accountability of theirleaders,and how they intend to developfuture leaders.

InvolvementService providers and commissioners shoulddemonstrate how they are actively andmeaningfully engaging the public they serve

and other stakeholders (such as staff and

their representative bodies) in the design,delivery and evaluation of services. Servicesshould demonstrate how they are developedaround the needs of the public they serve, notthe other way around.

TransparencyService providers and commissioners shouldbe open to scrutiny and questioningregarding the operation of their business.NHS services are funded by public moneyand, as such, restrictions on informationshould be the exception rather than thenorm. Providers and commissioners shouldadhere not just to the relevant legislation inrespect of freedom of information andconsultation but also adhere to best practice.

Accountability

R O Y A L C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G



Diversity

Providers and commissioners of servicesshould ensure that they operate on theprinciples of valuing and promoting diversity,and implementing equality of opportunitywith full transparency. Organisations mustdemonstrate a corporate commitment tothese principles combined with strategic andoperational activities designed to challengeand eradicate institutional and other forms of

discrimination. Organisations must have aclear vision and clear goals around what theywant to achieve in terms of valuing diversityand implementing equality to ensure that allservice users experience positive healthoutcomes.

AdvocacyService providers and commissioners shouldensure that their processes,procedures,practices and policies proactively encourage,rather than exclude, the public.This shouldbe particularly true for those representingcommunities of interest such as black orminority ethnic groups, religious bodies andso on. The aim should be for everyone toenjoy full access to services, and be allowedto critically feed back on the way services aredelivered without hindrance.

Access

Services should be provided in a way thatallows universal and unhindered access.This does not simply relate to thegeographical location of services, althoughthis is important, particularly in rural areas.It should include consideration of the public’sdifferent physical, emotional or mentalabilities and the way in which services aredistributed across the economy. It should

also explicitly address issues such as race,ethnicity, faith,culture,sexuality, age,personal wealth, mobility and communitycohesion as important factors.

UniversalityServices should continue to be publiclyand nationally funded through taxation andbe available to all service users in the UKregardless of ability to pay. Tacklingunjustified variations in service provisionshould be a key policy driver.

EquityThis relates to the way in which services areprovided, which should be deemed fair and just, and to the way in which serviceemployees are treated.Gains made in servicereform must not undermine equity of treatment.

Equality

R C N P R I N C I P L E S

Equityquity

Universalityniversality



Consultation and negotiation

Providers and commissioners of servicesshould demonstrate a commitment to,andunderstanding of, meaningful consultationand negotiation over their business andservices to the public, ensuring involvementof all recognised trade unions,professionalassociations and other stakeholders.

Legitimacy

Service providers and commissioners shouldacknowledge, and act to respect thelegitimacy of, representative bodies andindividuals’human rights.

Representation

Service providers and commissioners shouldengage meaningfully with individual andcollective interests in the delivery anddevelopment of services.

Collaborative decision makingService providers and commissioners shoulddemonstrate how they are actively andmeaningfully engaging the public they serve

and other stakeholders (such as staff andtheir representative bodies) in the design,delivery and evaluation of services,regardless of the financial pressures.

Partnership

R O Y A L C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G



April 2006

Published by theRoyal College of Nursing20 Cavendish SquareLondonW1G 0RN

020 7409 3333

The RCN represents nurses and nursing,promotes excellence in practice andshapes health policies.

Publication code 003 034

rcn principles

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