RCN Northern Region

New telephone number for the Northern regional office

Since December the RCN Northern regional office has a new telephone number. The number is 0345 772 6100, which will connect you immediately to a skilled RCN Direct adviser.

Trained to give you all the information you need, the adviser will also refer you to the relevant member of staff where necessary. If you have an ongoing case, you can continue to use the direct-dial number given to you by the Northern Region member of staff supporting you.

Read more: New telephone number for RCN Northern region.

Principles of Nursing Practice Roadshow

The RCN Northern region is hosting a free event at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, on 23 March 2012, open to both members and non-members. The Principles of Nursing Practice Roadshow is designed to explain and explore the eight core statements that set out the quality of nursing care that people can expect from nursing staff. Through the event, you will gain an invaluable and practical understanding of how the Principles can be used in your workplace to make a difference to the care you provide. You can download an application form to attend here (Word 33KB). For more information, please contact Colette Ross on 0191 511 5809.

RCN briefing: Health and Social Care Bill 2011

The RCN has written detailed briefings to accompany the Government's Health and Social Care Bill 2011.

More information about RCN Northern region:

In addition to the RCN Northern Region board, each of the five Northern Region branches has its own web page:

Dates of all branch and board meetings for 2011 are available here (PDF 48KB) [See how to access PDF files] .

RCN Northern Region in the news

  • New 111 number is to create 140 jobs (28/01/12)
    The Journal reports that North East Ambulance Service secured a £45m contract to handle non-emergency medical calls, creating 140 jobs for the region.
  • Mum’s worry over maternity service changes (25/01/12)
    The Evening Gazette features a piece on Middlesbrough mum Debbie Wright, who has hit out at plans to downgrade the maternity and children’s services at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
  • Campaigners brand hospital proposals ‘unacceptable’ (25/01/12)
    The Northern Echo reports that the National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT) published a report concluding that the Friarage Hospital’s inpatient paediatric service should be converted to an outpatients-only service.
  • Nursing Update with Estephanie Dunn (23/01/12)
    The Evening Chronicle features a column written by Acting Regional Director, Estephanie Dunn, about the reasons the Royal College of Nursing is opposing the Health and Social Care Bill.
  • NHS reforms branded a ‘distraction’ (22/01/12)
    The Journal reports that health unions, including the Royal College of Nursing, have said the Government's controversial NHS reforms are a ‘distraction’ from confronting the £20 billion budget savings and long-term care for the elderly.
  • Unions want public debate on North Cumbria Hospitals (19/01/12)
    The News and Star reports that health unions have invited interim chief executive Neil Goodwin to debate concerns about north Cumbria’s hospitals at a public forum.
  • North Cumbria NHS trust 'squandered money' (18/01/12)
    BBC News Cumbria reports that a joint statement concerning cuts and patient safety at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, has been made by Trust staff.
  • £38,000 hospital staff trip to Sweden criticised (18/01/12)
    The Northern Echo reports that the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust spent nearly £40,000 on a staff trip to Sweden, despite 700 planned job losses in the trust.
  • A pilot scheme for end-of-life support in the comforts of home (18/01/12)
    The Guardian reports on a scheme on South Tyneside to help terminally ill social housing tenants die with dignity. 

Read more stories about the RCN Northern Region and local issues in health care in our news archive.