Starting a new role is always a mix of anticipation and aspiration. Naturally, you want time to settle in - get to know the people, understand the processes, and begin building relationships. But above all, you hope to make a meaningful contribution from the outset, to bring energy, perspective, and something new to the table.
My own start as the RCN’s Regional Director for the North West has certainly been impactful - and in more ways than I expected. Within days of taking up post, and before I’d even had a chance to properly unpack my new laptop, the Prime Minister announced proposals to abolish NHS England and halve the size of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). The implications for our members have been profound, with nearly 4,000 RCN members delivering essential services - such as safeguarding, infection prevention and control, and nursing leadership - suddenly facing uncertainty about their futures.
But with challenge has come clarity of purpose. The RCN’s response has been swift, collaborative, and focused on organising and supporting our members. One of our immediate priorities has been to connect with members and workplace Reps across NHSE and the ICBs, and we have invited expressions of interest in a new England Officer role with specific focus on this work, with the aim that those affected have access to the representation, guidance, and support they need through this period of change.
Having spent many years as an RCN activist myself, I’ve seen first-hand the power of our representative structure. Stewards provide vital advocacy in moments of difficulty; Learning Reps help members develop and grow, even in the most uncertain circumstances; and Health and Safety Reps uphold the standards that protect staff and patients alike. Together with our Branch Executives, Regional Boards, and Forums, our College has a vast network of support and guidance that is both responsive and robust.
The opportunities for both personal and professional development that come from acting as a Rep are many and varied and are an excellent entry point to the work of the RCN. If this is of interest to you, please see our website for what each role entails and how to register your interest.
Another key focus in these early weeks has been preparing for my first RCN Congress as Regional Director. Congress is always a pivotal event in the RCN calendar, and I’m very much looking forward to attending in this new capacity. It will be a valuable opportunity to connect with members from across the region, to hear directly about the issues that matter most, and to engage in shaping our collective direction. I hope to see many familiar faces there, and to make new connections as well.
This year, we will also be celebrating the recipients of our inaugural RCN North West Branch Awards. These awards - Branch Representative of the Year and Branch Campaigns Champion of the Year - have been established by our Regional Board to recognise individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their fellow members, who drive positive change, and who represent the very best of what it means to be an RCN advocate. The awards will be presented during our regional evening reception at Congress, and I am greatly looking forward to learning more about the contributions and achievements of those being honoured. Their dedication at a local level plays a vital role in the strength of our wider movement, and it is fitting that we take this moment to acknowledge and celebrate their impact.
Among the many important campaigns currently underway at the RCN, one that resonates with me particularly strongly is our work on corridor care. This is not only a professional priority but a personal one - throughout my career, I have held firm to the principle that every person accessing care should be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, regardless of the circumstances.
Our recent report into corridor care starkly illustrates how far we have drifted from that ideal. It is difficult reading, and rightly so. The routine provision of care in corridors, storage areas, and overcrowded spaces is unacceptable. That this has become commonplace is deeply concerning - not just because of the impact on patient safety and experience, but also because of what it says about the pressures facing our health services and our profession.
Raising concerns about such practices can be challenging, but it is essential. The RCN has produced practical guidance and resources to support members in navigating this process, and I would strongly encourage you to make use of them. It is your lived experience that gives credibility and weight to our collective voice - and it is that voice that drives our influence with policymakers. Every time a concern is raised, we take a step towards restoring the conditions in which safe, respectful, and person-centred care can be delivered - and that is something we should all feel proud to be part of.
Over the coming months, I’m looking forward to attending as many regional events as possible and meeting more of our members in person. I’m very aware of the high regard in which my predecessor, Estephanie Dunn, was held. Under her leadership, our North West membership grew to over 60,000 - an achievement that speaks volumes about her dedication and the strength of our region.
I’ve also been fortunate to have the support of Glenn Turp, who stepped in as Interim Regional Director following Estephanie’s departure. Having returned from retirement after many years of service as Regional Director for RCN Northern, Yorkshire & Humber, Glenn has provided invaluable continuity and guidance. I want to extend my sincere thanks to him for his leadership and generosity during this transition.
Equally, I have been genuinely impressed by the professionalism, dedication, and skill of the staff team here in the North West. Across every role and function, there is a clear and shared commitment to delivering the highest quality support for our members. It has been both reassuring and inspiring to see that, from the inside, the values I believed the RCN stood for are truly lived out in practice. I hope that you, too, feel that same sense of confidence and pride in our organisation.
