title: The perioperative voice in healthcare policy.
abstract: There are many challenges facing existing world healthcare systems. Due to the current economic downturn healthcare organisations are under extreme pressure to meet the increasing demands of service within an ever decreasing budget (WHO 2010). The balance of maintaining quality of care and patient safety within this time of tight budgetary constraint needs to remain the primary focus of all healthcare systems. However, decisions will have to be made on how available resources are best utilised. These decisions will undoubtedly have an effect on both the patients we care for and healthcare professionals. Therefore, it is imperative that nurses and ODPs are constructively involved in all healthcare policy decisions to ensure that the focus is not just on money but on safe and effective patient care.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: McCutcheon
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D011050:Policy Making; D006113:United Kingdom