Opinion  

What a difference two years can make. In 2006, the then health secretary Patricia Hewitt was forced to abandon her speech to the RCN congress amid a chorus of boos and jeers. Last week, her successor Alan Johnson received a rather different reception, leaving the stage to a standing ovation. The RCN could not recall a health secretary ever receiving such a response.

Mr Johnson did not make any promises or grand announcements, but he conveyed a common touch and approachability that always seemed to elude Ms Hewitt. He also addressed the issues that worry nurses. Nurses think it is unacceptable that they have to use their holiday to access training (which they pay for themselves). So does Mr Johnson. Nurses say they are constrained by bureaucracy. Let's do something about it, says Mr Johnson. This, coupled with an understanding and respect of the profession, endeared him to the audience.

Unfortunately, there was no detail on exactly how he was going to address nurses' concerns. Mr Johnson was speaking the day before the local elections, so policy proclamations were off the agenda. However, he was particularly scathing about trusts 'ducking their responsibilities' on training. Clearly, introducing ringfenced training budgets is the best way to address this so, reading between the lines, such a move could well be on the cards.

Only time will tell, but as far as RCN delegates were concerned, Mr Johnson had heard and acknowledged the issues that mattered to them. That, in itself, is a vast improvement on two years ago.

Indeed, the relationship between the college and the DoH seems to be the best that it's been for years. Mr Johnson couldn't praise the RCN highly enough (even the pay negotiators received a special mention), while senior staff at the RCN seem very receptive to the new regime at Richmond House.

It remains to be seen how long this honeymoon period lasts - and whether this warm relationship will benefit the profession in the long run.

Emma Bower, editor, Independent Nurse, emma.bower@haymarket.com