We started on Sunday with the AGM which prompted good, open debate on issues raised by the members. This was followed by a tea party to honour our patron, Queen Elizabeth II, in the platinum jubilee year. Then we witnessed a fantastic opening ceremony with a Scottish piper and then a pipe and drum demonstration which blasted the hall to life! We then presented the RCN awards from the last three years which we’d not been able to give out due to the pandemic. It was so good to see our members receive awards including RCN Plymouth Branch Chair Vicky Brotherton, who received Health and Safety Representative of the Year for 2020. The whole auditorium was buzzing and the awards dinner that evening gave us all a chance to thank all the recipients personally for all they have done.
Today we kick off the first day of RCN Congress and our BJ Waltho (Dorset member) is Chair of Congress. Well done to BJ getting here at last after the pandemic and resulting cancellations; her address brought fun and laughter and, more importantly, the pride we all have in nursing to get us started for Congress. We began with a debate on protecting the title of nurse and another on nursing leadership. There were some passionate pleas for the profile of nursing and sending clear messages to government that nursing leadership and the voice of nursing must be heard and respected. We had a hard-hitting discussion on financial hardship and the pressures people are under with increasing cost of living affecting and hurting so many of our colleagues.
Today we, the RCN, published the results of our Last Shift Survey, the 'Nursing Under Unsustainable Pressure: Staffing for Safe and Effective Care' report highlights the impact of the staffing crisis on nursing staff and patient care. As members we have an opportunity to influence policy, to debate the key issues of the moment and shape the future. We can only do this if we are united, determined and then work together to make a difference to be able protect the most vulnerable in our society across all sectors of health care and especially for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must never underestimate the pivotal contribution nursing and health care workers made in the pandemic across all sectors. Indeed, many paid with their lives. We must stand together to fight for staffing for safe and effective care.
Today at Congress we heard a very powerful keynote speech from Pat Cullen, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, in which she set out the direction of travel for our organisation, including reinforcing the needs of nursing, safe and effective staffing, pay awards and our international contribution to nursing, including a donation from the RCN to support health care in the Ukraine. She received a standing ovation from the hall.
I look forward to keeping you all updated over Congress and please follow my tweets @gwalkerpoole1.
Today we kick off the first day of RCN Congress and our BJ Waltho (Dorset member) is Chair of Congress. Well done to BJ getting here at last after the pandemic and resulting cancellations; her address brought fun and laughter and, more importantly, the pride we all have in nursing to get us started for Congress. We began with a debate on protecting the title of nurse and another on nursing leadership. There were some passionate pleas for the profile of nursing and sending clear messages to government that nursing leadership and the voice of nursing must be heard and respected. We had a hard-hitting discussion on financial hardship and the pressures people are under with increasing cost of living affecting and hurting so many of our colleagues.
Today we, the RCN, published the results of our Last Shift Survey, the 'Nursing Under Unsustainable Pressure: Staffing for Safe and Effective Care' report highlights the impact of the staffing crisis on nursing staff and patient care. As members we have an opportunity to influence policy, to debate the key issues of the moment and shape the future. We can only do this if we are united, determined and then work together to make a difference to be able protect the most vulnerable in our society across all sectors of health care and especially for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must never underestimate the pivotal contribution nursing and health care workers made in the pandemic across all sectors. Indeed, many paid with their lives. We must stand together to fight for staffing for safe and effective care.
Today at Congress we heard a very powerful keynote speech from Pat Cullen, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, in which she set out the direction of travel for our organisation, including reinforcing the needs of nursing, safe and effective staffing, pay awards and our international contribution to nursing, including a donation from the RCN to support health care in the Ukraine. She received a standing ovation from the hall.
I look forward to keeping you all updated over Congress and please follow my tweets @gwalkerpoole1.
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