But the way our members live, work and engage has changed. This review is about making sure Congress continues to deliver – not just for those in the room, but for the whole membership.

This review is being led by members, supported by RCN staff, and has been commissioned by your elected RCN Council.

The first phase is complete. The guiding principles were agreed by Council, shared at Congress last year, and with the wider membership for consultation.

These set the direction for how Congress will evolve – focusing on accessibility, participation, and strengthening how members can influence the work of the RCN.

We are now developing what this will look like in practice.

We know some members are concerned this review could reduce Congress or move it fully online. This is not the case.

The Congress review is about:

• a sustainable future for Congress
• making Congress more inclusive and accessible
• increasing opportunities for more members to have a say on what matters to them

It is not about:

• cutting costs
• moving to an online-only event
• taking away the member voice

Congress remains central to the RCN – this review is about making it better.

• A hybrid event, combining in-person and online participation.
• Members will be able to listen, contribute and vote in discussions, whether attending in person or online.
• Members will be able to contribute through live, written and pre-recorded input.
• Some elements – such as speaking live – will at least initially be limited to in-person participation.
• Online participation will be introduced in phases, with some elements developing over time.
• Interactive tools will support real-time engagement and participation.

What do we mean by a hybrid Congress?

• Congress will continue to be centred around an in-person event.
• A hybrid Congress combines in-person and remote participation, enabling more members to take part in different ways.
• This will be introduced gradually, to ensure each part of Congress works effectively for members.
• New approaches and technology will support how members take part and engage.

• A clearer and more accessible process for all members to submit ideas for Congress topics without the need for sign off via a branch, forum or other submitting entity.
• The Agenda Committee will identify the topics to be developed with members into items for the agenda.
• More opportunities for more members to engage in more ways with the topics being discussed.
• A review of the Agenda Committee’s composition and election procedures to ensure it is even more representative of the membership.

• We will take a more flexible approach to debates, to ensure that each topic can be introduced, discussed and debated in the best, most appropriate way possible, rather than sticking to the very rigid matter for discussion/resolution structure we currently have.
• Similarly, debates will take place in the most suitable location and environment available. Some topics may be better discussed in smaller spaces with smaller groups. It can be very hard to speak on difficult topics at the podium of a huge hall, in front of thousands of people. We want members to be able to talk about the topics that matter to them in an environment that feels most suitable.
• This will give us the option to discuss different topics concurrently in different spaces.
• Members will be able to contribute in different ways, including live participation, pre-recorded contributions and written submissions.
• Outcomes from Congress will be woven into ongoing RCN work and priorities.

Before, during and after Congress

• Pre-Congress webinars and sessions to introduce topics and support discussion.
• Learning and development integrated into the Congress programme.
• Opportunities to continue engagement and development after Congress.
• Opportunities for networking and connection will remain an important part of Congress.

Funding and participation

• Funded places for in-person attendance will continue.
• The total number of branch and forum funded places, and the current distribution method, will remain at 2026 levels until 2029.
• The total number and distribution of funded places will be reviewed again to reflect the impact of both Congress and Branch reviews. Any changes will take effect from 2030.
• Members can apply for a funded place through either a branch or a forum.
• Unused places may be redistributed across branches, regions, countries or forums.
• Funding arrangements will be reviewed as the new model develops.

Where Congress will be held

• Congress will remain a spring event.
• Liverpool confirmed for 2028 and 2029.
• Future locations will follow a planned five-year rotation cycle.

As we shape the future of Congress, we want to retain what makes it special – while improving how it works for members.

Congress should feel:

• planned, but not staged
• smooth, but not dull
• engaging, but not overwhelming
• professional, but not corporate

We are now developing detailed options for how Congress will work in practice.

These will be shared with members as part of a wider consultation.

Members will have opportunities to shape and inform the next stage of the review.

Congress 2026 and 2027 will feel familiar while this work continues.

This is your Congress – and your views will help shape what comes next.

• Have you ever attended a hybrid event? What worked well and what were the challenges?
• If you were joining Congress as an online participant what would be important to you?
• What do you think of the proposed model for submitting and managing Congress agenda items?

We want to hear from you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been to Congress once, 20 times or never.

We’ll use your comments to help shape the Congress of the future.

Log in to tell us your thoughts

The Review of Congress Member Group is made up of the following representatives:

• Chair – Jason Warriner, RCN Fellow and previous Chair of Congress 
• Previous Chair of Congress – BJ Waltho
• Professional Nursing Committee representative – Ruth Bailey
• Trade Union Committee representative – Sharon Osborne
• International Committee representative – Kevin Davies
• Fellows Co-ordinating Committee representative – Rachel Hollis, RCN Fellow
• Students Committee representative – Mary Bichard
• Agenda Committee representative – Dawn Marr
• Nursing Support Workers Committee representative – David Parry
• Group Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee representative – Sophie Barber

The terms of reference for the group can be found here.

Despite evolving over time, Congress has never had a full review. Our membership has grown, with more than 550,000 members today. Technologies have changed, and we have growing environmental responsibilities.

It’s time to reimagine Congress for a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable future.

Surveys show that some members don’t attend due to cost, location and time off work. Almost half of members surveyed have never considered attending.

Our auditors recommend reviewing the structure and duration to remove barriers – especially for those with disabilities or caring responsibilities – so we can welcome more members at Congress.

Two project groups – one member led, one staff led – are working to:

• ensure Congress reflects the views of all members
• explore practical improvements
• embrace technology for hybrid participation
• make Congress more inclusive and environmentally sustainable

Congress will:

• be hybrid, with fuller online participation
• feature a timed agenda and broader ways to engage
• offer fair funding for attendance
• ensure votes reflect the wider membership
• support learning, media visibility, and financial sustainability
• be simple, inclusive, and aligned with our Royal Charter