In a speech to nursing managers on Friday, John Reid set out the government's vision of the nursing profession of the future.

The health secretary called on nurses not only be given greater frontline control but the freedom to be entrepreneurs in the NHS.

Forum Response: The Royal College of Nursing

Alexa Knight, senior parliamentary officer at the Royal College of Nursing, told ePolitix.com: ''The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is very pleased to hear the Secretary of State reiterate that nurses will have places on the board of directors in Foundation Trusts, should the proposals be reinserted into the Health and Social Care Bill.

''Nurses in leadership positions will be able to place patients at the centre of the new Foundation Trusts, and the announcement is a clear acknowledgement that nurses belong at the top table.

''RCN general secretary Beverly Malone said: Having nurses on the board of directors will allow us to address areas of concerns on Foundation Trusts including potential health inequalities and poaching of staff from other Trusts. We will also be scrutinising closely the role of the regulator. We look forward to working with the government on developing the right conditions for patient care to flourish."

Forum Response: Nursing and Midwifery Council

Stuart Skyte, head of communications at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, told ePolitix.com: "This is an exciting and challenging vision for nursing but one which the profession is capable of delivering in the interests of better patient care.

"Expanding nurse prescribing and the number of clinics run by nurses makes a lot of sense, and these are already popular with patients who receive quicker treatment."