The ICN Board of Directors has approved a position statement on international trade agreements, providing the framework for a proactive as well as monitoring role for the organisation. ICN and national nurses associations must have a voice in international trade negotiations , says Chief Executive Officer Judith Oulton.
Nurses are major providers of health services.
The care they deliver and their working conditions are affected by international trade agreements. They must have access to information and decision-making bodies at all levels. ICN have a responsibility to monitor the development and impact of international trade agreements that affect nursing, health and social policy, including access to health services, employment opportunities of health workers, and professional regulation, concluded Oulton. The ICN Board also strongly encouraged nursing associations to work strategically with others in health care so as to influence international trade agreements having a negative impact on patient, family and public health, health sector human resources, and health care delivery systems in general. The International Council of Nurses is a federation of 122 national nurses' associations representing millions of nurses world-wide.