Royal College of Nursing re-elects gay man to Chair its Annual Congress
Published: 25 July 2008
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) - the world’s largest trade union for nurses - has re-elected a gay man to one of its most influential posts.
Jason Warriner, a Matron for Sexual Health and HIV at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust will now serve as Chair of the RCN’s Annual Congress for a further two years. The RCN Congress is an important fixture within the world of nursing, where thousands of nurses from across the UK gather to debate healthcare policy and the future direction of the organisation.
Speaking about his re-election, Jason said: “I am delighted with my re-election and look forward to ensuring that all members have a representative voice within the RCN and the wider world.
“The last two years have been particularly pleasing as we’ve seen the College continue to modernise and it’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members now play a higher profile role in events such as Gay Pride and the first LGBT Annual Health Summit.
“I am hopeful that my election and re-election serves as an example to other LGBT workers and encourages them to play a more prominent role in their workplace; and to stand for positions of influence.”
“I am also pleased that in the last two years there has been a greater recognition of the contribution LGBT nurses make to the health of the nation and I’m hopeful that this will continue.”
In his first term as Chair, Jason presided over the 2006 and 2007 RCN Annual Congress events that took place in Harrogate and Bournemouth respectively. As well as Chairing the Congress, Jason, will also lead the committee responsible for setting each Congress’s agenda.
Notes to editors
Jason is a veteran campaigner working on projects to support LGBT staff in the workplace and is also a founder member of the College’s LGBT group, RCN OUT! Since its founding in 2002, the group has been involved in a range of work which has helped to improve the working lives of members and the delivery of care for patients and clients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
The term of office for Chair of the RCN Chair of Congress is two years.
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/news/mediacentre.php
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 organiisations.