RCN Scotland's vision for community nursing in Scotland

Community nursing in Scotland is at a crossroads. 30 per cent of those working in the community are set to retire in the next 10 years, while the demand for community health services is increasing. This has contributed to uncertainty and has led to much anxiety and debate about the future.

RCN Scotland has been working to address these issues and develop our vision for a sustainable future for community nursing. Since publishing our vision document in April 2009, we have had a number of major successes in ensuring a vibrant future for community nursing teams. Please see below for resources and information on recent developments.

Recent developments and key dates

8 October 2009: First meeting of the new Modernising Community Nursing Board
18 August 2009: Meeting to discuss the new Modernising Community Nursing Board, between RCN Scotland, UNITE, UNISON, the Scottish Government and Margaret Smith (Chair of the new Board)
June 2009: Scottish Government confirms a new Board will be set up to develop "a common approach to a way forward which will have the key aim of modernising community nursing services and to ensure the provision of high quality and effective care within a team based approach in Scotland"
June 2009: Meeting to discuss issues with the Review of Community Nursing in Scotland (RONiC) and the new way forward for community nursing reforms, between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon, RCN Scotland, UNISON and UNITE
1 April 2009: RCN Scotland launches a new vision for community nursing in Scotland.