RCN AGM offers full membership to health care assistants
Published: 26 October 2011
Members of the RCN have today voted overwhelmingly to make health care assistants, health care support workers and assistant practitioners full members of the RCN.
Announcing the result, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said that the strong vote in favour of the resolution (81.2 per cent) was recognition of the important role health care assistants and assistant practitioners play in the nursing team. Dr Carter said “it has never been more important for all members of the nursing team to stand together to protect jobs and patient care. I am absolutely delighted that our members have taken this decisive step to welcome all nursing colleagues into the RCN.”
Sandra James, the outgoing Chair of Council and Kath McCourt who today takes up her role as the new Chair of Council have both said they are delighted that all members of the RCN will now have a voice at the top table. The resolution will create two new seats on Council for health practitioners such as health care assistants, assistant practitioners and health care support workers. “This is the last piece of the jigsaw, giving all RCN members the right and the chance to shape policy for the future. This decision will make the RCN stronger and a more effective campaigning voice for the whole nursing team.”
Two other resolutions were voted on at the AGM. Members voted to amend the winding up clause in the RCN’s Royal Charter to ensure that like other membership organisations the RCN can attain mutual trading status for tax purposes.
A vote to allow RCN Council to approve annual subscription increases over the current rate of up to 2% over the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in June of any given year was not approved because it failed to secure the necessary two thirds majority. Dr Peter Carter said that the decision had already been made not to increase members’ subscriptions in 2012 because of the extremely difficult economic climate. This vote would not therefore affect the RCN’s plans for the coming 12 months. Dr Carter said that the RCN has strengthened its financial position considerably in recent years and will continue to search for further cost efficiencies so that services to members continue to grow and improve. “The RCN will continue to work flat out to support members’ jobs, pay and pensions and to protect patient care” said Dr Carter.
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. The results of the vote were as follows:
a) Health practitioners
That the RCN standing orders are amended so that health practitioners (such as health care assistants and assistant practitioners) can become full members of the RCN and be represented on RCN Council through the establishment of two seats.
Passed 81.2% in favour, 18 % against
b) Membership subscriptions
That the RCN standing orders are amended to allow RCN Council to approve annual subscription increases over the current rate of up to 2% over the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in June of any given year, with the proviso that members are asked to review this arrangement with a vote in general meeting every five years.
Did not pass 56.6% in favour but 43.4 % against (against a requirement for a two thirds majority)
c) Winding up clause
Subject to the consent of Her Majesty the Queen in Privy Council, that Article 22.2 of the Charter be amended to ensure that any surplus in the event of the RCN being wound up is distributed among the members of the College.
Passed 98.4% in favour, 1.6% against.
2. The term ‘health practitioner’ is an umbrella membership category that includes unregistered nursing staff with a range of job titles such as health care assistants, health care support workers and assistant practitioners. It replaces the previous term “health care support workers” which is used in some but not all parts of the UK.
3. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
4. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations