The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called for the NHS to review measures being taken to protect nursing staff.

In light of the recent London riots, the RCN stated that community nurses working in the evening were particularly in need of improved security measures.  

A statement issued today on rcn.org.uk claimed that "in the face of continuing civil disturbance in London and other inner-city areas" they expect the NHS to be "reviewing risk assessments and measures to protect the safety of staff, especially community nursing staff working alone on evening or twilight shifts."

According to Nursing Times, a statement from NHS London has GP practice staff, including those in nurse manager jobs, not to be hesitant to close down any GP practice which be under threat because of the riots.

They claimed that the safety of GP practice staff was "paramount" and that closing practices was "a realistic decision for practices to make and take."

Nurses in London, Manchester and the West Midlands have been particularly busy taking care of those injured in the riots over the last few days.

Those who feared being caught up in the riots have been reminded that they can withdraw from the work situation if they feel they are facing 'serious or imminent danger' under the terms of the Employment Rights Act.