Letter from the Chair
Our conference in June was tinged with sadness as we said goodbye to Kathy French, our RCN Adviser. Her contract was over, and it was time to move on to other things and enjoy more family time. Still we are all used to change in the workplace and recognise that sexual health services in particular need to evolve and improve to survive in a competitive market. It’s certainly not a time to rest on our laurels.
Again this year our conference demonstrated how responsive nurses are to patients’ needs in their approach to service delivery. Two plenary sessions in particular showed the broad spectrum of sexual health care – one, an enlightening insight into the importance of the religious background and beliefs of patients, and how that impacts on their attitudes to problem prevention and treatment.
The second addressed the challenges of working with the forensic services when sexual health services and forensics cross over including some helpful tips and beneficial data. We plan to incorporate both of these topics in our next conference in June 2009 so make a note in your diary.
The latest on RCN restructuring
The January 2006 Sexual Health Bulletin carried an article on future organisational arrangements which were being explored within the RCN. Since that time there have been numerous groups and subgroups, and discussions with the forum chairs and we are beginning to come out at the other end.
It had been clear for a long time that forums can’t exist in their present format and there have been various proposals to reduce their numbers. To that end the Forums Governance Group has proposed a rationalisation project that is out for consultation at present. In the new structure, grouping forums with similar interests being the most logical way forward, it would seem that sexual health would sit most comfortably alongside public health.
The RCN Professional Nursing Department has also been restructured and currently they are going through the recruitment process to fill vacancies to fit the new rationalised forum structure. So although Kathy has moved on, we will have a new adviser, but one with a broader remit. We also have a new Membership Co-ordinator, Sandra Hall, who replaces Anne Elliott. Sandra has worked at the RCN for a long time and knows the ropes! She’s at sandra.hall@rcn.org.uk
So do bear with us at this time. Remember those of us on the steering committee are experiencing change in our workplace as well as in our relationship with the RCN. Think positively!
And finally
I’ll mention two pieces of news which have crossed my desk recently, just in case you have been too busy to notice:
- The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) reviewed the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV and their report, Progress and priorities – working together for high quality sexual health, was launched in July.
- If you are lucky enough to be involved in designing new clinic premises, a revised Health Building Note was published in April to give guidance on the planning and design of sexual and reproductive health clinics
(www.primarycarecontracting.nhs.uk/243.php).
Enjoy the remainder of the summer.
Jacky Rogers