Walking the wards in the South West

Published: 08 January 2013

Following the success of the last ‘Walking the Wards’ initiative, in May 2012, a new initiative was launched at the end of December in the South West, where RCN staff were again encouraged to ‘Walk the Wards’ of a local care establishments.

Rather than visiting local NHS hospitals, which happened in May. This initiative enabled RCN staff to visit local independent sector organisations, such as care homes and mental health establishments, to discuss with healthcare assistants (HCAs) issues facing their roles and the benefits of membership to the RCN for HCAs.

Wendy Irwin, Diversity and Equalities Co-ordinator for the RCN joined Kaylie Moore, Assistant Regional Officer for Dorset, in visiting Carewatch Wessex for a diversity workshop, giving them the opportunity to ‘Walk the Wards’, and discuss with employees the work of the RCN and the benefits of membership.

Kaylie Moore stated: “We spoke to staff about the work of the RCN and issues they were facing in the work place and how membership could benefit them. It surprised me that many of the employees were still unaware that HCAs were able to join the RCN and many were inquisitive about what membership would mean to them.

“We were very well received and they had lots of questions for us, especially about the online resources and the pocketbook guides available, which were both of real interest and great talking points.

“The day went really well and allowed us to meet RCN members in their own environment and discuss the problems they are facing, as well as talk to new members about what membership of the RCN for HCAs It also enabled them to put a friendly face to the work of the RCN and ask the questions they needed to ask. I felt the whole visit was very successful.” 

Helen Hancox, Regional Officer and Marketing Lead for the South West said: “These initiatives enable office based staff to join their more mobile colleagues, to get out and visit their local care establishments, gaining a better understanding of what nurses and HCA’s are facing in the workplace and how the RCN can help them. It also helps builds awareness of the availability of RCN membership to HCAs in this important sector, the independent sector.”