I was keen to become more involved with the RCN but wasn’t initially sure what that might look like. Having attended several Congresses and regularly visited the Forum activity spaces, I spoke with the Chair of the Cancer Forum about joining the Forum Committee. We discussed the time commitment, and with my move to part鈥憈ime working, I felt able to meet the requirements. I received clear information about the role before applying and was successfully appointed as a Committee Member, with my tenure beginning in January 2025.
The work began quickly, starting with a strategy meeting in February 2025 at RCN Headquarters in London. This was quite daunting at first, as the committee brought together a mix of experience and roles, but it was immediately clear how much this diversity would strengthen the group. The strategy day allowed us to review the previous year’s work—particularly important as several of us, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, were newly appointed. We also set out our plan for the year and were allocated tasks such as blogs and project contributions.
Requests for comments, meeting attendance, and reports soon followed, coordinated by our RCN Professional Lead, Callum Metcalfe鈥慜’Shea. Communication is mainly through WhatsApp, which is helpful for quick updates, and email, which supports more detailed responses and document sharing. Committee members also have access to a dedicated Forum webpage containing workflows, key RCN documents, and policies, providing another channel for collaboration. We meet online every two months to review project progress, share updates from our areas of practice, and support one another. Meetings are scheduled well in advance to maximise attendance, and we are kept informed about upcoming conferences so we can share opportunities with colleagues and branch members.
The requests for support have been wide鈥憆anging, covering most cancer specialties. Government consultations, charity鈥憀ed reviews (such as Prostate Cancer UK), and surveys are circulated for comment, giving the committee a strong voice in shaping national work. We have also had opportunities to represent the Cancer Forum externally, including attending a carers’ event at Buckingham Palace, joining a panel discussion at a prostate cancer specialist conference, contributing to an interview with The Independent about the upcoming NHSE cancer plan, and supporting agenda items and panels at RCN Congress.
The past 12 months have been a steep learning curve, particularly in understanding the wider RCN structure and policy landscape, and in meeting colleagues from education, NHS England, and beyond.
What I have learnt ?
- There is no such thing as a stupid question.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Share information with your teams where appropriate.
- Seek input from colleagues with specialist expertise.
- Continue attending RCN Congress and supporting the committee.
- Attend wider events to enhance knowledge, such as UKAOS.
- Encourage colleagues to join the Forum and consider applying for committee roles when vacancies arise.
- Enjoy the experience.
