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.
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10 Jun 2025
MSP briefing - Scottish Labour Debate: Addressing Scotland’s Medical and Nursing Workforce Crisis
The Scottish government has committed to protecting, strengthening and renewing our NHS but this must be underpinned by a robust workforce strategy and cannot be achieved without investment and a recognition of the unique contribution that each profession makes.
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10 Jun 2025
MSP briefing - Scottish government debate: A Migration System that Works for Scotland
Internationally recruited nurses play an invaluable role in Scotland’s health and care services. Our talented and dedicated colleagues from across the globe who choose to come to the UK to work in our health and care systems must be valued and treated fairly.
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13 May 2025
Assisted Dying Bill Stage 1
MSPs debated and voted on the general principles of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill today (13 May). We published a briefing ahead of the debate, explaining how neutral stance on the principle of the Bill does not mean we have been silent about its provisions. Most importantly, we believe the Bill needs improved safeguards for nurses.
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6 May 2025
The Nursing Workforce in Scotland
The report shows that while the gap between planned staffing and actual staffing has reduced, at no point has NHS Scotland employed the number of nursing staff needed to deliver safe and effective care. In social care, the gap is widening as clinical need increases and the number of registered nurses working in care homes continues to decline.
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17 Mar 2025
POLICY: Rural Delivery Plan
RCN Scotland response to the Scottish Government consultation on a Rural Delivery Plan.
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14 Mar 2025
Stage 1 of the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill
RCN Scotland's response to the Scottish Parliament's stage 1 call for evidence on the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill
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13 Feb 2025
RCN Scotland member briefing - Influencing for positive change
The Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has made 44 recommendations for action. As a central member of the Taskforce, RCN Scotland helped shape each and every one of these recommendations. This briefing is a summary of the RCN’s most significant achievements, including some of what we anticipate will be the most impactful outcomes and recommended actions.
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13 Feb 2025
RCN Scotland MSP briefing - Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce
Briefing for MSPs on the Scottish government’s Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce report Delivering Together for a Stronger Nursing and Midwifery Workforce and the 44 recommended actions they have made.
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13 Feb 2025
POLICY: Regulation of Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures
RCN Scotland response to Scottish Government consultation on the regulation of Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures.
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10 Dec 2024
PARLIAMENTARY: Remote and Rural Healthcare Inquiry
RCN Scotland provided evidence to the Committee’s inquiry, including the issues that need to be addressed in the Scottish Government’s forthcoming remote and rural workforce strategy.
