RCN elects new Council members
Published: 20 September 2012
For immediate release: 20 September 2012
RCN elects new Council members
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today announced the election of four new members of its governing body, RCN Council. As well as electing two members to represent students, this election included the first two Health Practitioner Council members to represent HCAs and assistant practitioners
The new student members of Council are Claire Jeeves and Gary Stockwell , and the new Health Practitioner members are Brenda McIlmurray and David Cardwell.
Brenda McIlmurray, whose term on Council will run from the close of the Annual General Meeting on 17 October 2012 until 31 December 2015, has been a Healthcare Assistant for 15 years, an RCN member since 2007, a Learning Representative from 2010 and the current Northern Ireland Member of the HCA committee. She said:
“This is a new path that has been built for HCAs and APs. I have no doubt the whole nursing family will support and work with me. HCAs and APs are being recognised as unsung heroes and it is wonderful to see these changes.”
David Cardwell, whose term on council will run from the close of the Annual General Meeting on 17 October 2012 until 31 December 2013, has worked in the NHS for 17 years and has held roles including Nursing Auxiliary, Heath Care Assistant, Phlebotomist, Cardiographer, Support to Stop Smoking Cessation Adviser and Operating Department Practitioner. He said:
“Thank you for voting me as your first health practitioner council member. Please share your thoughts with me so I can take them to the national RCN table in London.”
Claire Jeeves, who will be on Council until December 31 2014, represents the South West on the RCN Students Committee, commented on her election:
“It feels fantastic to have been elected. Maintaining a positive future for nursing is very important to ensure we are consistently providing the high level of care that our patients deserve. I hope to prioritise the importance of effective mentorship and preceptorship for students during and after their training, as well as the importance of good clinical placements for all students.”
Gary Stockwell, who will be on Council until December 31 2013, is about to start his second year on a nursing course having had a previous career in the armed forces. He said:
“I’m extremely excited to have been elected. I’m passionate about nursing and keen to enhance the student placement experience so nursing students can be the best they can be. I’m looking forward to listening to other students all over the UK, so I can raise the issues that matter to them.”
Ends
Notes for Editors
You can see the full election results here - http://www.rcn.org.uk/aboutus/get_involved/rcn_elections/rcn_elections_2012/student_member_of_council_seat and here - http://www.rcn.org.uk/aboutus/get_involved/rcn_elections/rcn_elections_2012/health_practitioner_council_seats
The new ‘Health Practitioner’ Council positions are the first for Healthcare Assistants and Assistant Practitioners.
A special arrangement will be put in place for the elections of the Health Practitioner members as this is the first time they have taken place. This will enable them to be synchronised with the Council election cycle and to enable the implementation of a new election cycle to coincide with the calendar year.
Therefore, the term of office for one seat will run from the close of the Annual General Meeting on 17 October 2012 until 31 December 2013, and the term of office for the other seat will run from the close of the Annual General Meeting on 17 October 2012 until 31 December 2015
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
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 nursing staff 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.