Reduced membership rate for RCN health care assistant members

Published: 17 August 2011

For immediate release: 17 August 2011

Reduced membership rate for RCN health care assistant members

The RCN has today announced (17 August) a significant reduction in the membership subscription rate for heath care assistants.  From 1 September the rate goes down to £97.47 from the current level of £129.79 per year.  After tax relief most health practitioner members will pay around £77.97*.

The new rate was agreed by Council and reflects concerns that many health care assistants find themselves in less secure financial circumstances, but still require the benefits of RCN membership.  RCN Council felt that given the rising cost of living, this change was necessary to allow them to continue their membership at a time when they may need it more than ever. 

Commenting on the change, Sandra James, chair of RCN Council says:

“In the current climate of cuts and tough financial pressures, we want to ensure that all our members continue to have access to support services and do not find themselves sidelined because of cost. With fulltime Healthcare Assistants earning an average of approximately £17,000, we are aware that they can sometimes find it a struggle to maintain their membership.”

All RCN members enjoy a wide range of benefits including legal advice and representation for employment disputes and personal injury claims; indemnity cover; access to learning resources, CPD and networking opportunities; and the chance to take part in Congress and the AGM.

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. Tax relief varies according to individual circumstances. The new rate for health practitioners (the term includes health care assistants, health care support workers and assistant practitioners) has been set at half the full member rate instead of the current two thirds.

2.  For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
3. 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