Royal College of Nursing Representing nurses and nursing, promoting excellence in practice, shaping health policies

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Our work

How we represent forum members

  • Covering a wide range of health issues which impact particularly on women from adolescence to old age, including developing guidance and competence for nursing staff.
  • Carrying out research to advance and enhance practice.
  • Being as inclusive as possible and working collaboratively with other organisations to develop national guidance and policy.
  • Organising conferences to spread good practice.
  • Recognising the diversity of needs and expectations associated with delivering a high quality, humanistic approach to health so as to empower women into accessing the best available health care.
  • Representing the RCN's pool of professional expertise and knowledge.

Read our Women's Health Forum Charter 2023

Contact

Professional Lead: Carmel Bagness - Follow the forum on Twitter @RCNWomensHealth

Our strategy

  • Support professional learning and development of women’s health nursing and midwifery.
  • Provide women’s health nursing expertise and input to RCN.
  • Shape national policy.
  • Support RCN activities through income generation.
  • Ensure dissemination of relevant information to women’s health community.

What we are currently working on

  • We are about to publish guidance on Sexual & Reproductive Health Competencies for Women in Prison.
  • We are continuing to work on a joint forum project with, Mental Health, Midwifery and Justice and Forensics Forums on raising awareness around Women’s Mental Health and Trauma Informed Care.
  • We are working jointly with the Midwifery Forum, and Fertility Nursing Forum on a position statement around supporting women with reproductive health needs, in the workplace. 
  • We have just begun anew project on developing guidelines for nurses on supporting women with physical disabilities and women with autism to a successfully access cervical screening.
  • We are embarking on a new project to develop guidelines for nurses, midwives, registered nursing associate to best support women who have experienced early pregnancy loss.
  • We are also developing new clinical page around Women Health, WH Inclusion and Diversity.
  • We continue to review our clinical digital pages (see links below), as well as update a number of our publications.
  • Women’s Health Conference - planning is in progress for 10 December 2024.
  • We continue to represent the RCN and women's health at a range of relevant national activities (see report below).
Recent activity, including publications
 
For a list of all our current Women's Health publications, see: Publications.

Download the PDFs.

Recent project completion and evaluation reports

Recent webinars

Discover how implementing a Women's Health Policy for the nursing and wider health and social care workforce can make a significant impact on employee wellbeing, as well as on your organisation. With the Royal College of Nursing launching their position statement on supporting women’s reproductive health at work, this is the perfect time to think about drafting or refreshing yours.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Competency Framework for Nurses Caring for Women in Prison

This webinar launches the new competency framework, providing an overview of its content with the input of both specialists and non-specialists working with women in prison across the UK to explore best practice in this unique clinical setting.

Leading, collaborating, influencing

The RCN and its forums are invited to participate in many cross working and multidisciplinary workstreams. Below are a selection of some of the activities that members of the Women's Health Forum are involved in on your behalf.

Clinical leadership in gynaecology

Clinical leadership in gynaecology is a key role in supporting Woman’s Health care in acute settings. This role is diverse, and there is a new national Matrons Network, which can help in developing this role. Find out how to access support and contact with others in this role.

Women's Health clinical resources

If you would like to learn more about key areas in Women’s Health, you will find further information via RCN Learn on:

Women's health cards

This updated, easy to use, reference tool is for nurses and midwives working with women, including in gynaecology, sexual and reproductive health, in all health and social care settings across the UK.

Consultations

The RCN is the voice of nursing, and is invited to contribute to many consultations.

Get involved

Find out more about how to get involved in developing NICE and SIGN guidance

Page last updated - 04/10/2024