Having an item debated at Congress is a great opportunity to highlight important issues and influence the RCN's work.

Agenda items may be submitted by RCN boards, branches, forums or representative committee members by completing the form below. This process remains unchanged from previous years. 

As part of the ongoing strategic review of Congress, a parallel process is being piloted this year to broaden opportunities for members to propose topics for inclusion on the Congress agenda. Any member may submit an idea for a debate using a form which will go live in November 2026 on the main Congress webpage.  

The Agenda Committee will select from these member-submitted ideas to develop full debate items for two dedicated debate slots on the Congress agenda. The remaining debate slots will continue to be filled through agenda items submitted by Congress submitting entities via the existing process. 

In 2026, our debates included:

• Nursing as a STEM profession – submitted by Eastern Board 
• Palliative and end-of-life care – submitted by Pain and Palliative Care Forum  
• Access to medicinal cannabis – submitted by Cheshire Branch 
• National safety standards for lone working – submitted by Health & Safety Reps Committee 
• 35-hour week – submitted by Lothian and Borders Branch   

If you have a bright idea or there is an issue you are passionate about but don't know who your branch or committee members are then please email congressagenda@rcn.org.uk and we will put you in touch.

If you would like this form in a different format, for example as a Word document or large print, please email us at the above address.

The deadline for submissions is 13 January 2027, midnight.