Campaigning during COVID-19
Our work to influence and lobby on behalf of our members during COVID-19
Since 23 March
Keeping members informed - we’ve sent over 11.5 million member emails.Since 23 March
Keeping nursing in the news - we’ve been included in over 31,075 pieces of media coverage.May 2020
Government scraps NHS immigration charges for nursing staff following RCN campaign
May 2020
RCN introduces skin health resources to support members
June 2020
BAME nursing staff offered greater protection after RCN demands action.
June 2020
100 days since the pandemic: what we want for nursing now
June 2020
Nursing students who joined the workforce sooner than planned to support the profession on extended placements had their contracts honoured following pressure from the RCN Student Committee.
July 2020
Online book of remembrance launched to gather messages in memory of the nursing professionals who have lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2020
Nursing staff working at Four Seasons Health Care will receive full pay for any COVID-19-related absence, following a joint union campaign.
July 2020
First RCN report launched based on survey of members on nursing during COVID-19.
July 2020
RCN demands action on nursing pay as government announces other public sector pay deals.August 2020
Second RCN report launched based on survey of members on nursing during COVID-19.
December 2020
The biggest vaccine campaign in NHS history kicked off with nurse May Parsons the first to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the UK following its clinical approval.
December 2020
The RCN welcomed the approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at a time when nursing staff are working under intense pressure due to the ongoing pandemic.
Jan 2021
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) invite two new groups of overseas-trained nurses to support the UK’s response to the pandemic.
Jan 2021
The RCN calls for more detailed information on how COVID-19 is impacting health and care workers to be recorded so this can be analysed to make more effective policies.
Feb 2021
Introduction of new vaccine book system allows frontline health and social care workers in England to self-refer for COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Feb 2021
Prince of Wales praises nursing staff and expresses thanks for members’ continued commitment to delivering care in exclusive video message.
Feb 2021
RCN leads coalition of health experts to demand Prime Minister urgently tackles ‘inadequate’ protection of nursing staff from COVID-19.
Feb 2021
We’ve published eight staff recovery and patient safety principles which must guide health care employers in planning the return to ‘normal’ service delivery.
March 2021
All frontline health and social care workers in England can now self-refer for COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
March 2021
Health Education England updates guidance to clarify nursing students on placement are covered, following calls from members for clearer information.
March 2021
New research strengthens calls for official review of the government’s COVID-19 infection control guidance.
April 2021
National infection control guidance must be changed to better protect staff, says RCN.
May 2021
COVID-19 vaccine refusal: study shows pressure from employers has adverse effect.
May 2021
Government drops plan to ban staff moving between care homes following pressure from RCN.
June 2021
RCN responds to reports that COVID-19 vaccines will become compulsory for care home staff in England.
June 2021
Research adds weight to RCN calls for increased levels of protection for health care workers.
July 2021
‘This disease does not disappear on 19 July’. RCN warns that public and frontline workers still need to be protected from the virus.
July 2021
RCN responds to proposed health service reforms in England, pledging to fight for legislative changes to ensure there are enough nursing staff to deliver safe and effective care.
July 2021
Government must protect health staff and vulnerable patients as COVID-19 rules loosen, says the RCN, BMA and others in a joint letter to the Prime Minister.
July 2021
RCN demands health secretary is made legally accountable for having enough health care staff as new report shows UK government ignored catalogue of warnings about nursing workforce crisis.
September 2021
RCN responds to launch of government consultation on making COVID-19 and flu vaccination a condition of deployment for frontline health and care workers in England.Read more
October 2021
RCN responds to COVID lessons report, calling for urgent start to public inquiry into failings.Read more
November 2021
The RCN warns that current pressures on the NHS in England are unsustainable.
November 2021
RCN responds to government announcement that COVID-19 vaccines will become compulsory for frontline NHS staff in England.
December 2021
New findings paint detailed picture of members’ professional lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 2021
The RCN has published a new risk assessment tool for nursing staff treating patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
January 2022
RCN responds to outcome of cross-party inquiry into tackling the backlog of care needs caused by the pandemic, calling for the government to get a grip on workforce planning.Read more
January 2022
All health care workers must be provided with FFP3 masks when treating people with known or suspected COVID-19.
January 2022
RCN calls for delay to new law on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for NHS staff in England.
January 2022
RCN says cutting self-isolation to five days could increase the risk of transmission to staff and patients.
January 2022
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said current legal requirement for NHS and social care workers in England to be vaccinated “no longer proportionate” following pressure from the RCN and others.
February 2022
Leaving it up to individuals and employers to decide on isolation periods will place health care staff and patients at risk, warns the RCN.
February 2022
RCN calls for protection of nursing staff as PM announces end to COVID-19 restrictions in England.
March 2022
RCN welcomes continued free testing for NHS nursing staff in England, and calls for this to be extended to social care staff.
April 2022
RCN wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care calling for an urgent extension of the life assurance scheme for nursing staff contracting COVID-19 at work.
April 2022
RCN commissioned expert analysis of current COVID-19 guidance to reduce the risk of inconsistent and confusing terminology.
May 2022
Following calls from the RCN to widen the scope of the COVID-19 public inquiry, the chair of the inquiry listened and recommended to the Prime Minister the inquiry should include looking into the unequal impact of the pandemic.
May 2022
Responding to the Queen’s speech, RCN labelled UK Government plans to clear the COVID-19 backlog “hollow” without plan for more nursing staff.
We continue to lobby and influence on behalf of our members as COVID-19 develops.
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