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Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

RCN Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Branch



If you're an RCN member working in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, you're automatically a member of our Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Branch. Welcome to your nursing community.

Our branch includes members working at NHS, independent, higher education and care home employers, as well as students.  

Getting involved in our branch means more than attending meetings. Whether you’re organising for better conditions, supporting a colleague or pushing for systemic change, your involvement helps turn shared concerns into collective action.

Contact us

Your branch team

  • President: Pat Fraser
  • Chair: Andrew Mather
  • Vice Chair: Jane Black 
  • Secretary: Lindsey Curtis-Dawson
  • Treasurer: Jane Hamilton
  • Executive member: Bev Smith
  • Executive member: Sheryle Miller

All branch events

Our branch annual general meeting (AGM)

Every year, our branch holds its AGM, where we:

  • review our branch activity over the past twelve months
  • map out what we want to achieve over the next year
  • elect the branch committee for the coming year
  • discuss with your fellow branch members the issues which are most important to you right now

This is your chance to help set the nursing agenda. Details of the next AGM will be posted in the events section as soon as available.

Our branch and RCN Congress

Branches play a key role in RCN Congress. Our members can submit debate topics for the annual conference, which are then discussed and voted on by the wider membership, influencing the RCN's future work.

All members can attend RCN Congress for free. There are also fully funded voting places for members, where travel, accommodation and food are provided. Voting members are there to listen, participate and vote on resolutions that are proposed by RCN branches, forums and committees across the UK.

This year's applications for funded voting places are closed. Details of 2026 funded places will be posted here as soon as available.

Hear from members across our region



8 blog posts
  • Sarah Dodsworth Sarah Dodsworth 10 Dec 2025

    Reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead

    As 2025 comes to a close, Sarah Dodsworth, Regional Director for RCN Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Regions, reflects on an extraordinary year and shares what’s next.

  • Rebecca Conlon Rebecca Conlon 23 Sep 2025

    Building a career in care: Rebecca’s path through apprenticeship and beyond

    Registered learning disability nurse Rebecca Conlon shares her inspiring journey from support worker to deputy team manager at Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS). Her story highlights the power of values-driven care, the impact of apprenticeships, and the importance of supportive leadership in nurturing nursing talent.

  • Logo for PIPS (Positive Individual Proactive Support) Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings 23 Sep 2025

    Compassion at the core: A visit to PIPS (Positive Individual Proactive Support)

    Last month, as part of our regional Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) work, we had the privilege of visiting PIPS (Positive Individual Proactive Support) – a service that supports people with learning disabilities and complex needs to lead fulfilling lives.

  • The Northern Pride RCN delegation in Newcastle on 19 July 2025 holding a colourful RCN Pride banner Andrew Mather Andrew Mather 21 Aug 2025

    Northern Pride: a powerful mix of joy, connection and purpose

    Attending Northern Pride in Newcastle this year was a truly special experience, made even more meaningful by being part of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) delegation.

  • James Cook University Hospital car parking protest 8 April 2025 Sarah Hughes Sarah Hughes 18 Jun 2025

    The campaign continues at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    Staff and patients alike find onsite parking at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust not only frustrating but it also adds significant stress and unnecessary worry to their day. 

  • ParkingEye 'staff permit holders only' car parking sign Roaqah Shaher Roaqah Shaher 3 Mar 2025

    Help fight for fair parking at South Tees

    Staff at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are concerned about the trust’s recent decision to implement a new car parking system from this summer, changing providers to ParkingEye, removing barriers from car parks and installing an automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) system.

  • RCN Committees picture Leanne Hume Leanne Hume 18 Feb 2025

    Independent sector update: What’s coming up and how you can stay engaged

    Leanne Hume, Lead Nurse - Independent Health and Social Care (Northern Region), shares what’s coming up and how you can stay engaged.

  • illustration of a diverse crowd Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings 21 Oct 2024

    A recap of our regional Independent Health and Social Care Conference

    Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurses for Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) in the Northern and Yorkshire and the Humber regions respectively, discuss the recent success of a joint regional IHSC conference.

Elections and appointments

Get more involved by putting yourself forward as a candidate for Council, a board, a committee or a forum. You can also make your voice heard by voting in our current elections.
A smiling woman

Put forward an agenda item for Council

Members can submit an agenda item for Council to discuss at one of their meetings. If your submission is accepted, you can present it to Council during the meeting, either remotely or in person.
Image of man at Congress with hands clasped together

Page last updated - 25/07/2025