Pupils have their say on nursing

A group of Leicestershire school children was among 100 students asked for their views on nurses and midwives.

They were taken to Twycross Zoo on Friday for a series of workshops as well as question and answer sessions about nursing in England.

Health Minister Ann Keen was at the event, which was organised by the strategic health authority NHS East Midlands as part of the Prime Minister's Commission which is looking at the future of nursing and the roles nurses can play in managing health services.

Dame Catherine Elcoat, director of patient care for NHS East Midlands, said: "We are proud to be the region talking to children and young people on behalf of the commission, feeding back their views about nurses and midwives.

"These contributions will have a significant role in shaping the future of nursing and midwifery."

Ms Keen, who is also chairman of the commission, said it was "essential" to explore the role nurses and nursing play.

The commission's final report will be presented to Gordon Brown early next year.