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RCN Yorkshire and the Humber
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Independent health and social care

Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Nursing 

Many of our members are employed in independent health and social care (IHSC) in Northern and the Yorkshire & the Humber regions. 

This diverse group includes all nursing staff employed in settings outside the NHS. That could be care homes, nursing agencies, private hospitals or somewhere else entirely. It also includes members ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ such as general practice nurses ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ who may provide NHS services but not be employed on Agenda for Change contracts.

As the voice of nursing, weÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re committed to connecting, engaging and representing nursing staff, no matter what sector or setting youÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re employed in. This page signposts to useful information and resources about IHSC in Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber regions. For more general information about IHSC across the UK, please see our ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥˜Nursing across independent health and social careÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™ page.

You can find more regionally specific information in the sections below. If you canÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™t find what youÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re looking for, please contact Leanne Hume, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care (Northern Region): leanne.hume@rcn.org.uk or Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care (Yorkshire & the Humber Region): michelle.raddings@rcn.org.uk.

They work closely with our Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network, which brings together members from across the various IHSC setting in both regions to share and swap information and the latest news, learn from one another and network.

If you would like to get involved in the network then keep an eye on our events listing page, social media accounts and look out for emails from the RCN in your inbox.

Upcoming events

Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network

Our Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network brings together members from across the various IHSC setting in both regions to share and swap information and the latest news, learn from one another and network. The network is co-chaired by Sandra Blades in the Northern region and Cheryl Lythgoe in the Yorkshire & the Humber region.

Cheryl Lythgoe 120x180

Cheryl Lythgoe, Yorkshire & the Humber co-chair of the Network

Cheryl Lythgoe is National Matron at Benenden Health, advising on health care direction and promoting excellent clinical care to ensure a quality member experience. She is an award-winning MSc-trained nurse consultant with over two decades of experience in A&E, general practice, the private sector and healthcare delivery.

Cheryl has worked as a nurse consultant undertaking clinical consultations where patients from cradle to grave would present for investigation, diagnosis, treatment and support. She also has extensive experience in commissioning, service delivery and workforce transformation.

Supporting people’s physical and mental wellbeing is one of her core values, and she strongly believes in providing people with the education and tools to make informed choices. Cheryl is a social scientist who is currently completing a PhD exploring and understanding what factors drive decision-making in clinical employment choice.

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Become a representative

We are keen to recruit more RCN representatives who work within the independent sector. As an independent sector RCN representative, you would have the opportunity to make an even greater difference to patients and the working lives of your colleagues ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ as well as increasing your knowledge, developing new and transferable skills, and influencing important decisions.

If this is an area of work that interests you, and if you would like more information about becoming an independent sector RCN representative, please contact michelle.raddings@rcn.org.uk.

Page last updated - 04/12/2024

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