I have been a member of the RCN for over 20 years and have been lucky enough to be able to attend the RCN congress in 2024 and 2025 as a voting member for the Gastrointestinal Forum Committee.

I attended this year with my friend and colleague feeling more confident than last year, as it was not my first rodeo. 

I arrived in a very sunny Liverpool on the Sunday evening feeling excited in anticipation for the week ahead. We started the week on our stand promoting our RCN Gastrointestinal Nurse’s Forum. We were able to speak to a number of RCN members about the work our steering group undertakes and were pleased to sign some more members up to the forum.

Congress allowed very topical debates on important issues across all nursing platforms. There was a very emotive debate about the role of the nurse in the exposure of human trafficking. It is every nurse’s responsibility to provide help and support to those who need it.

There were also discussions around who should be accountable for the care given in ambulances, and a call for there to be clear guidance on responsibility in order to protect both patients and those caring for them - this is clearly an issue across the nation.

There was also a debate calling for investment in social care, this was passed for resolution. Both these debates put our patients at the forefront of the discussions and urged the government to take action.

There were plenty of breakfast, lunch and after congress educational sessions, which were all well attended. I attended the pain and palliative care forum session on anticipatory grief. I found the slides on advanced care planning very insightful and important for all nursing staff when planning care for our patients. These sessions can be accessed on the RCN website under Congress 2025 education sessions.

I had a very fulfilling but exhausting week and felt privileged to be given the opportunity by the RCN to attend and participate in a fabulous eventful congress.

If you are wondering what its all about, RCN Congress is being held in Liverpool again next year, home of the Beatles. If you fancy attending, there are several ways you can - either as a voting member with your forum or branch or as a non-voting member, keep your eyes peeled.