A new national role

In January I took on a new role as the South West representative for the UK Stewards Committee, taking over from the fabulous Leanora Newson and I didn't really know what to expect. I'd had experience on the regional board but this was a national committee! However, the welcome I received from colleagues on the committee was incredible. It was as if I had known them for many years and this really put me at my ease after travelling to HQ for my first meeting with them in February.

We don't just represent ourselves on this committee, we represent all stewards across the UK with each of the regions and nations having different challenges that we talk about and try to come up with solutions to resolve. A big part of this work is reporting back to the Trade Union Committee and as we have over the past couple years been focusing on pay and working conditions and this is going to continue. We support our Northern Ireland colleagues who are still fighting for pay equal to Agenda for Change and more locally hoping to look at the progression from band 5 to band 6 along with the new national job descriptions for nursing and midwifery. With this committee we also attend to the UK Joint Reps conferences which this year have been in Bristol and Leeds where items are discussed and learning takes place as well as meeting with colleagues from around the UK to network. 

Corridor care developments

I'm particularly proud that in the Bristol conference in March I was asked to present the developments of the RCN’s work on corridor care. This work stemmed from an agenda item I submitted at RCN Congress in 2023. This shows how issues can go from a very local level to be taken on nationally. Thanks to Lena Johnson for offering the opportunity and supporting me to present at the conference. Nicola Ranger, RCN CEO & General Secretary, visited Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at their invitation to speak with the Chief Nurse and other nurse leaders about corridor care and the strategies they have implemented to reduce and manage the impact of corridor care.

Charlotte Jakab-Hall and I were invited to spend some time with them to discuss how we work in partnership with the organisation as representatives of the RCN. The RCN report highlighting the impact of corridor care released in January meant I was able to speak out in the media on the issue. Supported by RCN South West communications manager Tracey, I was interviewed on camera by ITV West Country News to discuss the report. This is something that 12 months ago I probably wouldn’t have done so it shows my development with the support that I've received from RCN staff. Doing these things can be scary but I was put at ease from the reporter who understood the limitations I could speak within and respected them. 

An event on cultural awareness

More locally I have remained busy in the branch with my colleagues to hold a very successful study day which was about being culturally aware in the workplace and also looking at the new immigration paper from the Government. It was so nice to see new faces at the event and discuss what we had been doing as a branch over the last 12 months. Huge thanks to our Chair and Vice Chair of RCN Council Carmel O’Boyle and Natalie Brooks for attending our day and discussing with our members how the RCN works, what they do as their role in Council and also listening to the concerns of our members. We also discussed Congress. This year we took 3 first-time attendees and it was really nice to see that there was a heavy representation from the South West getting up onto the podium and talking along with having agenda items from are the branches in the South West. We really did make our mark on Congress this year as the region and I'm hoping that this continues next year and that there are many agenda items submitted from across the region.  

Keeping a special secret... those who know me know I hate wearing a suit

The hardest thing for me in the run-up to Congress was keeping a special secret as I was awarded the RCN Award of Merit, the highest accolade that can be bestowed on a member for the voluntary work we do in the College and in nursing. When I got the notification I had to read the email several times before it sunk in that I had not only been nominated but was successful in recognition of the work I’d undertaken to highlight the issue of corridor care since first taking it to Congress. Keeping this a secret was so hard but it was obvious something was going on when I arrived in a suit – those who know me know I hate wearing a suit!  

I feel very honoured and humbled that I have been recognised with this award and I will continue to work at the corridor care issue – we are making progress but have a way to go. 

Playing our part to support members while supporting each other

So looking back, it’s been a busy year for me and my fellow reps whether they sit on national committees, the regional board or workplace staffsides, there’s been a lot going on. We all play our part to support members through processes and procedures while also supporting each other.  

It's only when you look back that you realise what you've done but also, importantly who has helped you over the years. I've had my regional officer, Nicola, and senior regional officer, Andrew, support me to develop, Tracey to guide me in the ways of communication and speaking with the media, but especially my close friends and fellow reps who have given that important local support and sounding board. 

Leaving a massive hole in the RCN

There is one person though who has supported me probably for the last 10 years as I've developed from a student, taking on the stewarding role and then supporting when I first started on board as well. This person has given me and fellow reps so much support. He has answered every silly questions and generally been a font of all knowledge RCN-wise. So, my final thanks must go to Tony Aspinall, South West Regional Service Manager, who is retiring at the end of this year. He is going to leave a massive hole within not just the South West but also nationally with everything that he has done so support members. He will be sorely missed but we wish him a long and happy retirement.