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RCN briefings

Policy briefings, parliamentary briefings and consultation responses on the issues that matter to nursing staff

The RCN works with government, think tanks and other stakeholders to ensure the voice of nursing is heard. You can get involved in policy development by taking part in surveys, workshops, seminars and briefings.

  • 14 Oct 2026

    Policy: RCN budget submission 2026

    In this budget submission, we set out the case for seeing the nursing workforce as instrumental in achieving national growth. Not only through its role in enabling the wider population to contribute to good health and good growth everywhere, but also its potential as an anchor career.

  • 7 Oct 2026

    POLICY: The key drivers of corridor care in Scotland

    This report is a detailed analysis of a range ofavailable data sources to identify the key drivers of corridor care in Scotland. The report includes three recommendations for action for the Scottish government to begin to address the problem - defining corridor care, reporting on corridor care, and investing in increased capacity to address the widespread challenges in the health and social care system.

  • 29 Sep 2026

    RCN Scotland briefing - Investing in Community Nursing

    Setting the context for our annual roundtable bringing together politicians and RCN members to discuss key issues in health and care, this briefing sets out our position on the urgent need for investment in all areas of community nursing, without which the Scottish government will not realise its long-held objective of shifting the balance of care into the community.

  • 24 Sep 2026

    POLICY: Scottish Government consultation on proposed changes to SSSC fees

    RCN Scotland supports the proposed changes but calls for robust transitional arrangements to support existing staff with training requirements.

  • 16 Sep 2026

    BRIEFING: The Impact of Extreme Heat on Patients

    Following anecdotal feedback that this summer's heatwaves were particularly challenging in Wales and England, we surveyed our RCN membership in these two nations. We asked about the impact of extreme heat on members’ ability to provide care and the impact of the heat on the people they care for. This briefing summarises the findings and sets out the RCN's analysis and recommendations.

  • 8 Sep 2026

    Briefing: RCN Scotland's approach to public sector reform

    The First Minister announced proposals for significant reform of health and social care services in the Programme for Government 2026-31. We understand that our members are, of course, concerned about what the proposals will mean for the services they deliver, for their patients and for their own jobs. We are calling for the Scottish government to set out very clearly how service delivery will be improved and establish clear measures to monitor whether this is achieved.

  • 4 Sep 2026

    The Gloves Are Off campaign for the Scottish Parliament Elections 2026

    The Gloves are Off was our campaign for the Scottish parliamentary elections 2026. Find out what we called for and why during the election campaign and continued to lobby for post election - because Scotland’s health depends on it.

  • 26 Aug 2026

    RCN Scotland Briefing: Programme for Government

    This parliamentary session, RCN Scotland is calling for nursing to be recognised as an investment, rather than viewed as a cost. The evidence couldn’t be clearer. When there are enough nursing staff, with the right skills, in any care setting – patients are safer.

  • 19 Aug 2026

    RCN Scotland written evidence to the Public Service Reform Committee

    As part of its pre-budget scrutiny, the Scottish Parliament's Public Service Reform Committee issued a call for views on how the 2027-28 Scottish budget can promote public service reform, including by removing barriers to progress, promoting preventative approaches, and simplifying the delivery of public services.

  • 19 Aug 2026

    RCN Scotland written evidence to the Finance and Public Administration Committee

    As part of its pre-budget scrutiny, the Scottish Parliament's Finance and Public Administration Committee issued a call for views on the affordability and sustainability of Scotland’s tax and spending plans.

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