2008 Congress agenda

The Congress 2008 agenda items are listed below. Background information and links to the discussion areas for each item are also available via the links below. Reports of each debate will be uploaded throughout the week, plus you can watch live webcasts of all the sessions as they happen.

Presumed consent is not informed consent
That this meeting of RCN Congress opposes any attempt to make consent to organ donation presumed.
Health care reform – how far, how fast?
That this meeting of RCN Congress supports the need for faster, more rapid change in the NHS.
Time to care for the Pay Review Body
That this meeting of RCN Congress requests RCN Council to act to protect and maintain the pay review body for nurses.
Out-of-hours community nursing - a challenge too far
With continuing public concern over out-of hours GP cover, this meeting of RCN Congress considers the challenges and opportunities for nurses to provide out-of-hours care.
Contracts out
That this meeting of RCN Congress demands that RCN Council lobbies government to end contract cleaning in the NHS.
The NHS at 60 – what next?
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses whether the NHS has reached a birthday milestone or the age of retirement.
A lost generation
That this meeting of RCN Congress asks RCN Council to lobby Government to end the scandal where children are expected to be the main carer for a dependent parent or sibling.
Stop-watch care
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the impact of the four hour emergency care target on patient care and staff morale.
Left holding no baby
That this meeting of RCN Congress calls on RCN Council to lobby for the implementation of the 2004 NICE guidelines on the availability of IVF.
Testing times
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the alternatives to the continuing assessment of pre-registration students.
Young, gay and ignored
That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to develop and promote best practice to combat the barriers to health and homophobic bullying faced by LGBT youth in the UK.
Maintaining standards, safeguarding care
That this meeting of RCN Congress requests RCN Council to mount a campaign to get government to establish a national standard for advanced health care assistant training and assessment with those who reach competence being registered and regulated by a national body independent of employers.
End Rule 12?
That this meeting of RCN Congress votes to put in motion the process to abolish Rule 12.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 – implications for health care, impact on nursing
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the implications of the new regulations relating to the Mental Capacity Act and the powers of Lasting Power of attorney on nurses.
A loss of faith
That this meeting of RCN Congress condemns the drastic cuts to hospital chaplaincy services by trusts.
Do we practise what we preach?
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses whether nurses are good role models to their clients when it comes to health-related behaviours.
Special (but only while needed)
That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to make renewed effort to campaign to ensure that ex members of the armed forces who suffer psychological problems relating to their service time can access appropriately skilled and knowledgeable mental health services.
Payment by results or poor results?
That this meeting of RCN Congress debates the inequalities of payment by results for patient care in the NHS.
Vulnerable adults - what difference can training make?
That this meeting of RCN Congress takes action to ensure that vulnerable adults are given the same consideration as vulnerable children, and that fully resourced training for all nurses who care for vulnerable adults is made mandatory.
Men can be victims too
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the lack of awareness of and resources for male victims of domestic violence.
Safe drinking
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the nurse’s role in promoting safe and responsible alcohol use.
Telecare in the community
That this meeting of RCN Congress supports the implementation and use of telehealth services in the community for patients with chronic long term conditions.
A sporting chance
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the opportunities for improving health in the UK in advance of the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Just because we can, does it mean we should?
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the medical and technological advances in patient care and the ethical dilemmas faced in clinical practice.
Those who can do!
That this meeting of RCN Congress asks if there should be a requirement for nursing lecturers to maintain practice competence to support their relevant academic knowledge.
You must be joking
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses humour in health, health care and nursing.
E - Keep Students Nurses Nursing
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the causes of Student nurse attrition and potential solutions to address this.
E - Let's start the debate now
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses to accept or not to accept the phased pay award 2007.