Carol Watts

I have been in Mental Health nursing for 26 years, and have been an RCN representative for 11 years. I am currently branch secretary for Cambridgeshire and have been active in the branch executive for 10 years. I was recently elected to the Eastern Board as representative for Cambridgeshire. At Congress this year I broke my duck and proposed a resolution on behalf of the branch, speaking publically about a controversial subject(legalisation of Prostitution). I am not afraid of tackling difficult issues and believe the RCN is progressive in promoting inclusivity and giving a voice to the forgotten members of society, which is also something I strongly believe in.

I have spent my life in Cambridgeshire  and  have a very good understanding of its demographics and the health needs in the area, particularly for Mental Health. I currently work for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation trust as a Specialist Substance Misuse Nurse for Young People, which is in a team that I helped set up some years ago and was instrumental in establishing policies and protocols for this complex work.

I have had experience of acute ward work, both days and nights, as well as in the community managing my own caseload and other members of the team. I am passionate about supporting nurses in the workplace, and as a rep on staffside within my Trust I am able to help ensure that nurses are not overlooked. I am motivated and enthusiastic about nursing as a profession.