Independent sector in Northern Ireland

Many of our members in Northern Ireland are employed in the independent sector, also known as independent health and social care (IHSC). This includes all members working in settings outside the HSC, such as nursing homes, independent hospitals, nursing agencies, hospice services, general practices and more.

As the voice of nursing, we’re committed to connecting, engaging and representing nursing staff, no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in. This page signposts to useful information and resources about IHSC in Northern Ireland. For more general information about IHSC across the UK, please see our ‘Nursing across independent health and social care’ page.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact Brenda Rushe, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland, at Brenda.Rushe@rcn.org.uk.

Watch our latest webinars

Prioritising Care in the Independent Sector: Transforming Patient Experiences Through Specialist Services

The CIRCLE (Creating Inclusive Residential Care for LGBTQ+ Elders): Advancing Understanding of LGBTQ+ Ageing

Education, Learning & Development Opportunities for Nurses and HCAs in the Independent Sector

IHSC Learning Opportunities Initiative - What To Know On The Go (WTKOTG)

Listen to our latest podcasts

Royal College of Nursing · Inside the Library in a Box - A behind-the-scenes look at how information transformed practice in an independent hospital

Royal College of Nursing · Nursing Home NICE (NG28) & Necessary — What the new diabetes NICE guidance means for nurses supporting their patients in nursing homes

Visit our Soundcloud page to listen to all our podcasts.

Library-in-a-Box

Working in the Independent Health and Social Care sector and want to improve knowledge and patient care?

Library-in-a-Box brings tailored books to your workplace. The box covers topics like leadership, teamwork, dementia, palliative care, peri-operative care and quality improvement. Plus wellbeing resources to support self-care.

Register your interest to receive a Library-in-a-Box

Find out more about the independent sector in Northern Ireland

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IHSC networks in Northern Ireland

Our member-led networks in Northern Ireland provide professional networking opportunities and support for members in IHSC. This includes the Primary Care Network, the Independent Sector Nurse Managers Network (ISNMN) and the Independent Sector School Nurses Network. For more information, join our Independent Sector Network Facebook group or contact Brenda Rushe at Brenda.Rushe@rcn.org.uk.