This week, I was delighted and honoured to address members as Acting General Secretary and Chief Executive at this year’s RCN Congress in Newport. It was our first Congress in Wales and what a welcome we received from all members there.
Pat Cullen’s decision to move into politics last week meant some changes to the programme. There was a lot of appreciation for everything Pat did over the last three years – we all wish her well.
There is something special about bringing us together once a year for Congress and appreciating what connects us. We need hope for nursing and Congress gave us a chance to discuss what we are going to do for our profession. It takes a remarkable person to do what we do – and I met so many remarkable people this week. Congress is a wonderful celebration of how, despite all its challenges, nursing is an amazing profession.
I started at the RCN in the week of the first strikes and I knew I was on the right side of history. Now, we have a general election in less than a month. During my keynote speech, I launched the RCN UK General Election Manifesto 2024, outlining our dozen demands and telling every party and every candidate what will really sort out health and care services. This has to be a nursing election, and we have to make our voices heard.
Another theme of my speech was our work on corridor care. I have been a nurse for nearly 40 years, and I know that nursing has been pushed too far. Corridor care shouldn’t be called “care”. I declared a national emergency in our health and care services and challenged all the political parties to address it head-on. Under no circumstance should nursing staff be asked to deliver patient care in an inappropriate setting. We must also play our part - you must call this out and we are here beside you.
On Tuesday we were joined by Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. Linda has been a big influence on my thinking on nurse-to-patient ratios and once again she spoke with such passion on the subject. Her enthusiasm and energy got Congress dancing, me included!
On Wednesday, our Chair of Council reported to members on the progress we’ve made since last year’s Congress. You can read the related Review of the Year report on the website. We were also privileged to hear from Welsh rugby great and passionate HIV campaigner, Gareth Thomas CBE. I was moved by his sheer determination to always challenge misconceptions, his gratitude for nurses he’s met during his journey, and his total commitment to challenge the deep-rooted stigma associated with HIV that still exists in our society today. His advice to Congress to “keep banging on the doors” of politicians to see the change we want could not be more apt.
The debates are a highlight of Congress for me, and can have a profound, lasting impact on our work. Once again, this year they were impassioned, thought-provoking and so important for me in understanding what is happening to nursing staff day in, day out. Finally, a word for the brilliant team that put Congress together. The planning and work that goes on behind the scenes every year is amazing – I am incredibly grateful to everyone involved.
Join us for Congress next year in Liverpool from 12 to 15 May and help set the agenda for nursing.
