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.
-
1 Jun 2026
RCN Scotland Last Shift Survey - Briefing
Every two years, the RCN conducts a major UK-wide survey of members. The Last Shift Survey asks respondents what the staffing levels were like the last time they were at work, how those staffing levels impacted on them, the care they were able to provide, and the impact of this on patients, service users and clients they care for. The latest survey ran for 5 weeks during March and April 2026 and was open to all RCN members providing direct patient care across health and care settings. Over 1,400 members in Scotland responded.
-
21 May 2026
BRIEFING: Investment in social care nursing
RCN briefing on investment in social care nursing.
-
21 May 2026
CONSULTATION RESPONSE: Draft code of practice on time off for trade union activities
RCN response to ACAS Working for Everyone's consultation on draft code of practice on time off for trade union activities.
-
19 May 2026
BRIEFING: Nursing student financial hardship
RCN briefing on nursing student financial hardship.
-
18 May 2026
BRIEFING: Initial findings from the Royal College of Nursing 2026 Last Shift Survey
RCN briefing on the initial findings from the Royal College of Nursing 2026 Last Shift Survey.
-
14 May 2026
The Nursing Workforce in Scotland 2026
We are calling on the new Scottish government to prioritise workforce planning in its efforts to deliver health and social care reform. In our fifth report, we highlight that nursing staff have seen little meaningful improvement to health and care services, whether in the NHS or independent sector, including on fixing the workforce crisis.
-
27 Apr 2026
BRIEFING: RCN insight and analysis of high caseloads in community mental health settings
RCN briefing analysing high caseloads in community mental health settings.
-
25 Mar 2026
CONSULTATION RESPONSE: Settlement, Citizenship and Integration
RCN response to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee's call for evidence on settlement, citizenship and integration.
-
12 Mar 2026
BRIEFING: Mass lobby of Parliament on "earned settlement" proposals, 11th March 2026
RCN briefing for the mass lobby of Parliament on the UK Government's "earned settlement" proposals, 11th March 2026.
-
5 Mar 2026
CONSULTATION RESPONSE: Fair Pay Agreement Process in Adult Social Care
RCN response to the Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC) consultation on the fair pay agreement process in adult social care.
