As your Council member it has been a busy time listening to members and supporting them over the last 6 months.

What have I been up to you may ask… Well - here are a few of the highlights:

Co-sponsoring the Council-led debate around advanced practice. Working as an ANP in out of hours I understand all too well the pressures that frontline staff face.

From my perspective my GP and medical colleagues appreciate and understand the valuable and key role advanced practitioners have - which leaves me scratching my head when you see the noise on social media about APs being used in lieu of resident doctors.

The RCN has successfully lobbied to get an increase in the fuel allowance for colleagues who have to drive as part of their role.

We have also lobbied successfully to ensure that nursing has a voice on trust boards to ensure that from the board to the floor is represented by nurses.

We agreed to bring the RCNi in-house and are looking at ways to give our members even more opportunities that the RCNi (Nursing Standard and other titles) can be of use to members. 

I had the honour of being invited to the Filipino Cultural evening at Congress and I am proud to be sponsoring the soon-to-be-launched South West Filipina South West group - more news to follow. 

Finally it has been a pure joy to be your elected member - with even more members than ever at Congress this year I urge you to get in contact with your branches or consider standing for one of the many posts that are coming up for election - which includes the South West Board seats - nursing needs you. 

As ever please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or queries via my Council email: council.southwest@rcn.org.uk.