RCN Northern region

RCN Northern Region e-newsletter:

Here at RCN Northern Region, we have created our own e-newsletter to keep you up to date with what's happening locally.

The e-newsletter has lots of interesting features about what's going on, from across the independent and NHS healthcare sectors, as well as current news and events from across the RCN Northern region

To read the third edition of the e-newsletter, published on 1 May 2012, please click here.
To read the second edition, from 1 April 2012, please click here.
To read the first edition, from 1 March 2012, please click here.

More information about RCN Northern region:

How do I contact my local RCN representative?
For more general information about the RCN Northern Region, please visit the about us section.
For information on becoming an RCN representative, please visit the RCN Activist recruitment section.
To nominate a nurse or health care assistant for an award, please visit the awards section.

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

Details of all the 2012 branch meetings are available on the Northern Region Calendar 2012 (PDF 27KB) [see how to access PDF files].

RCN Northern Region in the news

Nursing levels and elderly care (27 March 2012)
The Sunderland Echo reports that care of older people is suffering as a result of a nursing shortage, according to a new RCN report.
MP demands answers over hospital deaths (22 March 2012)
The Times & Star reports that MP Tony Cunningham is demanding answers after seven people died recently at the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, following falls or other incidents.
Union blasts health manager payouts (22 March 2012)
The Sunderland Echo reports that the RCN has criticised the money spent on ‘exit packages’ for health managers at the region’s primary care trusts, when many are rehired weeks later for the Government’s new clinical commissioning groups.
Cumbrian hospital rated among worst in the country by their own staff (21 March 2012)
The News & Star reports that staff at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital ranked the hospitals in the bottom 20 per cent, in the national NHS staff survey.
NHS reforms approved by Parliament (20 March 2012)
The Sunderland Echo reports that the Health Bill has been passed by Parliament. Dr Peter Carter is quoted, describing the Bill as “deeply flawed”.
Nursing jobs cut (20 March 2012)
The Sunderland Echo reports that RCN Northern region analysis has shown that between May 2010 and November 2011, 513 fewer nurses and midwives were employed in the region.
NHS rehiring policy costing region dear (20 March 2012)
The Northern Echo reports that almost £30 million has been spent on ‘exit packages’ for health managers at the region’s primary care trusts, only for many to be rehired weeks later for the Government’s new clinical commissioning groups.
Jobs to go at Friarage Hospital in shake-up (8 March 2012)
The Evening Gazette reports that South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to merge coronary care and medical admissions units at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
Hospital trust fifth top in UK (8 March 2012)
The Berwick Advertiser reports that patients voted Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust the best in the region and among the top five NHS trusts in the country, in the 2011 National Outpatient Survey.
Why does change matter? (5 March 2012)
In his regular column in the Evening Chronicle, Regional Director Glenn Turp writes about the Government’s refusal to disclose the risks associated with the Health and Social Care Bill.
Under-threat hospital bosses in Cumbria given CV writing lessons (5 March 2012)
The News & Star reports that interim North Cumbria Hospitals CEO Neil Goodwin has invited managers to informal CV and interview preparation seminars.
Nursing union hits out at efforts to find North Cumbria Hospitals whistleblower (2 March 2012)
The News & Star reports that North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust CEO Neil Goodwin sent a memo to staff, stating that the trust was investigating the leaking of a confidential financial report to the paper.