As Chair of the RCN District and Community Nursing Forum, I’m proud to represent a passionate and skilled network of professionals that are committed to work that demonstrates the clinical expertise, value, and impact of district and community nursing across the UK.

With it estimated that half of all nursing care nationally is given in a community setting, there’s no doubt community nursing is at the heart of health care delivery. We must be valued, and we must be protected.

Our forum exists to provide a strong voice for all the varied community nursing roles across all four countries. We advocate at both local and national levels, ensuring that the expertise and challenges of our members are heard by policymakers, educators, and health care leaders. In a time of increasing patient acuity and complexity, an ageing population, and government funding challenges, our work is more vital than ever.

Governments in all four countries of the UK have published plans for health care reforms which outline a move to shift care from hospitals to the community. The most recent of these plans, the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, is based upon three clear shifts; moving from hospital to community; treatment to prevention; and embracing digital technology. Community nurses are ideally placed and qualified to take a positive and active lead in these plans but for the plans to be successful, substantial investment is needed in the specialist community nursing workforce.

The RCN this week has launched a new survey for members who work in community settings in England and Northern Ireland to share your views on the challenges and solutions associated with these plans, and tell us what is needed to support you in playing a leading role in their design and implementation. Because health policy is devolved across the UK, this survey focuses on members in England and Northern Ireland.

One of our key priorities as a forum is to promote the importance of the Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) for Social Care Nurse, and District Nurses. This qualification underpins safe, autonomous practice and equips nurses to manage complex caseloads with confidence and skill. We believe that continuing professional development must be protected and made a priority —not only to retain our experienced workforce but also to attract new talent into this essential field and provide a clear career structure for community nurses.

The forum is actively engaged in a range of initiatives, including writing for publications, contributing to strategic planning, and participating in national RCN Congress debates. We also facilitate ‘sharing best practice’ events such as our monthly community nursing webinars in partnership with NHSE, and maintain strong partnerships with organisations such as the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN), The National District Nursing Network (NDNN) and the Association of District Nurse Educators (ADNE).

Looking ahead, we’re committed to expanding our membership to reflect the diversity of roles within community settings. We particularly welcome internationally educated colleagues and professionals from the social care sector, whose expertise enriches our collective knowledge and strengthens our voice. By encouraging collaboration across disciplines, we aim to build a more inclusive and resilient community nursing workforce.

Our vision is clear: to raise the profile of community nursing, promote care closer to home, and support nursing staff in delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Through social media engagement, policy influence, and peer support, we continue to champion the profession and ensure its voice is not only heard—but respected and valued.

Find out more about the work of our forum and get involved here.