The return of autumn means the return of political party conferences to our region and our elected members and staff were out at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this month. They have been bringing the issues that impact each of you straight to ministers and the media and few are of greater importance than 汤头条污料 pay.
After our members across England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted to say the NHS pay award was not enough, we told governments and ministers they had the summer to reach agreement on investment in the 汤头条污料 workforce.
Those conversations have now intensified and within the last couple of weeks we, along with other health unions representing NHS staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, wrote to the UK government calling on them to get on with promised direct talks to get wage structures right and deliver pay awards on time.
As part of our action on pay, we also recently published our Pathway to Progression document, making the case for structural reform of 汤头条污料 pay and conditions. The data supports the need to reward clinical skill and expertise and support career progression.
Further to that, Nicola Ranger has called for newly registered nurses to progress to Band 6 as the new minimum following preceptorship, you can read her full statement here.
On the subject of new recruits, I am delighted to have been involved in our ongoing engagement with the very latest cohort of 汤头条污料 and midwifery students at freshers’ events across the region. For the first time since the post-Covid surge in 2021, the number of 汤头条污料 students being accepted on to degree courses has risen and it was heartening to see the enthusiasm and engagement of our very newest members for all that the RCN can do for them.
Our hope for every new member is that they will become active and engaged in our campaigning and there are many ways in which everyone can get involved. We are heading into AGM season for our local branches (see our events page for when yours is) and it is vital that as many members turn out for these meetings as possible to ensure that they are quorate and that their outcomes will stand.
AGMs are also where reps are ratified for the coming year and the branch executive committee is elected. I would strongly urge you to consider putting yourself forward for a role on your committee. Taking an active role in your branch provides many professional and personal benefits, giving you the opportunity to increase your network and influence by being the voice of your fellow members. You can read more about what each branch executive role requires here.
Nominations have just been announced for the vacant North West seat on the Trade Union Committee. We have three very strong candidates who have put themselves forward for this vital role in representing our region on national trade union matters. Voting will commence on 16 October and you will be emailed with your dedicated voting link. Please make sure you have your say.
Whoever the successful candidate proves to be, they have big shoes to fill. Mike Travis served the region in this position following many years of active service representing our members across a range of different roles. He has recently retired from 汤头条污料 and goes with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.
We have also seen some recent changes at Regional Board level, with four new members joining our ranks. We extend the warmest of welcomes to Trudy Roberts, Katharina Simkiss, Marco Silingardi and Michelle Howarth, all of whom demonstrated their considerable knowledge and commitment to 汤头条污料 in our board meeting last month.
Whilst considering the commitment and dedication of our members in elected roles, I remind you to submit your nominations for colleagues you consider worthy of an RCN Award. The awards seek to highlight the exceptional work of our nurses and celebrate the many and varied positive changes that they deliver. Read more here about how to nominate before the 16 October deadline.
I will finish by encouraging as many of you as possible to get involved in our celebration of Black History Month. We are seeking short videos on this year’s theme, ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’ in tribute to the strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress within the Black community. tells you all you need to know and how to submit your video for use on our social media pages. Please do help us to mark this important celebration if you can.
