We have been waiting for many weeks for pay awards to arrive, but the waiting is over in England and Wales. We know that governments have awarded members working in those countries 3.6%. In Northern Ireland, you are still waiting for news of your award but you know that the PRB have recommended a 3.6% award too.  

The RCN pay consultations are open. If you work in the NHS in England and Wales or HSC in Northern Ireland, it’s time to have your say.   

You and your vote will play a major part in determining what we do next. We will always be guided by you. We are at our strongest when we reflect the voices of our membership. That’s why I want as many of you as possible to take part: a higher turnout is our best chance of making sure ministers across the UK sit up and listen. And I know from conversations at Congress last month that we have strong views.  

And when you vote, I don't just want you to vote on the fairness of the award itself, but also if it’s enough to turn our profession around. Do you feel this will make people want to join this amazing profession, and stop them from leaving? Is 3.6% enough? 

It will take less than a minute to cast your vote, so please do so. I am asking not only for you to vote but to get all your colleagues to vote too. I’m looking forward to getting out and about visiting members. So please - get loud and make our voices heard. That’s the only way we will get the respect our safety-critical profession deserves.  

To make our membership even stronger in making our voices heard, the newly launched Activism Strategy will be fundamental in supporting us to effect change in nursing. I believe in the strength of our collective voices – and it is important that voices are heard from across nursing. I hope this strategy helps to recruit, teach and develop even more RCN activists - I want all members to engage with the College, so we have a stronger, united voice.    

Another key part of our journey to ensuring nursing staff are fairly rewarded has been the publication of the new NHS nursing profiles. A fair and accurate job description is recognition of the skills and expertise nursing staff bring to the profession every day. More work on this will be coming in the months ahead as employers embed them in workplaces so take the opportunity to review your job description – we can help.  

I spent much of this week in Helsinki with colleagues from the RCN at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress. It was great to meet so many international colleagues there – to share the challenges we face, as well as innovations from around the globe – as well as celebrating how vital nursing is in shaping the ever-evolving landscape of health care delivery. So I am delighted that at the ICN Congress, the RCN and the ICN signed a partnership agreement to boost nurse education and continuing professional development. This will have a really important role to play in improving standards across the world. 

And finally, I’m shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives on the Air India Ahmedabad to Gatwick flight. As someone who flew to the UK for the first time on an Air India flight and later made this country my home, this tragedy feels especially close to my heart. My thoughts are with all the families in India and the UK who have lost their loved ones, and with the airline staff who are grieving the loss of their colleagues. As a nurse, I feel particularly affected by the loss of one of our own - a dedicated nurse from Portsmouth who tragically lost her life. We care for others every day, and when one of us is taken too soon, it leaves a heavy ache in our hearts. To all the nurses, families, and communities mourning right now - my heart is with you.