Congress: Gordy vs Dave

It's the second day of Congress, and as the photographers swarmed two surprise visitors made an appearance today. The first was the Prime Minister, Dr Gordon Brown MP, and in his wake was Mr David Cameron, MP, the leader of the Opposition.

Both addressed the congress, with Gordon's speech going out live on news networks. Both speeches had similar undertones, with references to experiencing NHS services and the loss of their children. Whistleblowing was also a common theme, having been highlighted by a nurse recently "blowing the whistle" and losing her registration as a result.

Talking "off-the-cuff" (if you believe it) Dr Brown said of nursing that it was "a profession that you enter not for what you can get, but for what you can give", mirroring it to recent issues surrounding MP expenses claims, saying that MP's should follow the same ethos. He spoke of courageous nurses, and that the Government had the willingness to invest in the NHS as a whole, not just in doctors and nurses. Gordon also said that they were looking at social and elderly care, and were hoping to improve the lives of the 6 million carers in Britain.

He spoke of losing his sight when he was young, and that the nurses played a key role in his rehabilitation. Gordon said that "there is nothing more important than talking to the nurses of Great Britain" when referencing the fact that no Prime Minister had attended the conference in 93 years of the RCN, citing that they always said they "had something better to do".

Gordon received a standing ovation, and undertook a lengthy Q&A session, although not fully answering and perhaps tactically avoiding a question about whistleblowing.

Mr Cameron made an appearance about an hour later, with a more conservative (no pun intended!) approach of reading a pre-prepared address. He said that "welfare is now a lifestyle choice, not a last resort" when speaking about the benefit system and that we had been left with a "battered and broken society". He spoke of rebuilding society "brick by brick" should he be elected at the next general election.

David also made reference to his own experiences with the NHS, almost uncomfortably talking about when his son Ivan passed away. He said that where "nursing was good, care was good" and spoke of the services he received. David said he owed a "debt of gratidude" the nurses who helped him through.

Interestingly, Mr Cameron mentioned that he would make organisational changes in the NHS, removing centrally-allotted targets and instead concentrating on improving outcomes for patients, and "strip down targets that undermine professional responsibility". He also affirmed that he would "definitely not introduce an insurance based health system", and that he was proud that it was freely available to any and all. On that note, Mr Cameron also said he wanted to "make sure doors to nursing are open for all", with training "focussing on practical skills, rather than theory".

He acknowledged that the NHS is the largest employer in the UK, and that it was difficult to keep up with organisational changes over recent years - that "the NHS history reads like alphabet spaghetti.

Both speakers told the audience what they wanted to hear: it is, after all, MEP voting time soon and they are out on the campaign trail vying for votes. Both speakers made references to their own experiences with healthcare, and if you were cynical you could say they were going for the sympathy vote. Both discussed whistleblowing - with Gordon taking a low-impact approach and David saying he would introduce contractual and legal protection for those who felt they needed to break their silence. It was almost as if they had read each other's speeches.

Both spoke well, and I was impressed with Gordon's oratory skills. He seemed relaxed and proud to be there. Both Gordon and David received a standing ovation as they entered and left the auditorium, but Gordon's croud seemed slightly more numerous on this occasion.

Nick Clegg of the Lib Dems wasn't in attendance - he was in Wales launching their Welsh MEP campaign.

Finally, it was good to hear the Chair of the Mid-Staffordshire branch standing up during the Q&A and sticking up for the nurses he represents. He asked Mr Cameron what he would do to stop the media and politicians from harassing his nurses and why they were using focus groups, instead of actually asking the nurses who worked their what their opinion was. His answer was simply to "invite the nurses to the focus groups".

A good day at congress. It's Dr Keogh tomorrow and Parky on Wednesday, however I doubt they will have as much impact as today. That remains to be seen.