The Royal College of Nursing announces new council members
Published: 03 September 2009
Twelve nurses have been elected to join the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ruling council. The Council represents almost 400,000 nurses and healthcare assistants across the UK.
Carol Watts has been elected by members in the Eastern region. She is a Specialist Substance Misuse Nurse for Young People in Cambridgeshire and has been active in the branch for over 10 years.
Members in the London Region have elected Andrew McGovern, who has been an RCN steward for 10 years. Andrew has been a member of the RCN Council before, following election as a student member in 2000.
Dave Dawes has been elected by members in the North West region. Dave has been a branch activist, steward and forum activist since 1990.
Members in Northern Ireland have elected Kevin Bell for a two year term. Kevin has experience of working with people with learning disabilities and is currently Trade Union Secretary for the Western Health and Social Care Trust. In addition, current Council member Ann Marie O'Neill has been re-elected by members in Northern Ireland for a four year term.
Members in Scotland have elected Michael Brown for a four year term and Eileen Frame for two years. Michael is currently a Board Member for Ayrshire and represents Scotland's nurses on national groups, giving nursing a voice within Scotland's Government. Eileen was a Health and Safety Representative in the 1990s before becoming the first Employee Director in NHS Borders in 2001.
South West members have appointed Lors Allford as their Council member. Lors is a Senior Sister in Emergency Care, Emergency Nurse Practitioner and Sexual Health Advisor at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and has cared for patients in acute medicine, surgery, theatres and the private sector during her nursing career. Lors currently represents the Bath Branch on the South West Regional Board and is also a Health and Safety Representative and RCN Convenor.
Members from Wales have elected Gaynor Jones. Gaynor has been a nurse for thirty years and still works in a busy A&E department as well as being a Lead Steward. Gaynor has experience as a former member of both Council and the Welsh Board.
Susan Fern has been elected by members in the West Midlands. Susan has been a district nurse for 22 years and a RCN member for 25 years, and currently works as an Access Nurse at Phoenix Health Centre for Wolverhampton PCT.
Members in Yorkshire and the Humber have elected Anne Kennedy as their Council member. Anne is a paediatric staff nurse in Bradford where she is an RCN Steward and Branch Chair.
David Miller will be representing members from the East Midlands and stood unopposed in the elections. David has worked as a mental health nurse in a number of settings and has been involved with the RCN since he was a student member over 20 years ago. David has been a branch chair and health and safety representative.
Saffron Brown also stood unopposed to be elected as a student member of Council. Saffron is studying child nursing at the University of Northumbria and has also recently been elected as the President of the European Nursing Students Association (ENSA).
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "I am delighted to welcome the new council members. RCN Council plays a crucial role in ensuring the voice of nurses is heard and in helping shape health policies so that patients receive the best care possible. I look forward to working with these committed individuals who will help shape the direction of nursing on behalf of members."
Additionally, existing Council members, Kathleen McCourt and Sandra James were re-elected having stood unopposed in the recent elections and will be representing the Northern and South East regions respectively.
New council members will formally take up their posts after this year's AGM on the 28th October 2009.
Further information about the election results can be found at http://www.rcn.org.uk/aboutus/gov/rcn_elections/council_elections_2009 .
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Notes for Editors
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RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
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.