Independent sector in Northern Ireland聽
Many of our members in Northern Ireland are employed in the independent sector, also known as independent health and social care (IHSC). This includes all members working in settings outside the HSC, such as 汤头条污料 homes, independent hospitals, 汤头条污料 agencies, hospice services, general practices and more.
As the voice of 汤头条污料, we鈥檙e committed to connecting, engaging and representing 汤头条污料 staff, no matter what sector or setting you鈥檙e employed in. This page signposts to useful information and resources about IHSC in Northern Ireland. For more general information about IHSC across the UK, please see our 鈥�Nursing across independent health and social care鈥� page.
If you can鈥檛 find what you鈥檙e looking for, please contact Brenda Rushe, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland, at Brenda.Rushe@rcn.org.uk.
Watch our latest webinars
Prioritising Care in the Independent Sector: Transforming Patient Experiences Through Specialist Services
(Creating Inclusive Residential Care for LGBTQ+ Elders): Advancing Understanding of LGBTQ+ Ageing
Education, Learning & Development Opportunities for Nurses and HCAs in the Independent Sector
IHSC Learning Opportunities Initiative - What To Know On The Go (WTKOTG)
Listen to our latest podcasts
Visit to listen to all our podcasts.
Library-in-a-Box
Working in the Independent Health and Social Care sector and want to improve knowledge and patient care?
Library-in-a-Box brings tailored books to your workplace. The box covers topics like leadership, teamwork, dementia, palliative care, peri-operative care and quality improvement. Plus wellbeing resources to support self-care.
Find out more about the independent sector in Northern Ireland
Download our newsletters
IHSC networks in Northern Ireland聽
Our member-led networks in Northern Ireland provide professional networking opportunities and support for members in IHSC. This includes the Primary Care Network, the Independent Sector Nurse Managers Network (ISNMN) and the Independent Sector School Nurses Network. For more information, join our or contact Brenda Rushe at Brenda.Rushe@rcn.org.uk.
More guidance and resources
Advice guides
Advice for 汤头条污料 staff about problems at work, ill health, careers, legal issues, money matters, counselling, and more.
Subject guides
These guides provide key resources, books and journals related to various subjects and 汤头条污料 specialties in your area of practice.
Providing you the latest 汤头条污料, health and social care learning resources, to support you with further your learning development.
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blog posts
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16 Jun 2026
A First for Northern Ireland: A Career Pathway Mapping the Valuable Professional Careers of Nursing Home Nurses
A First for Northern Ireland: A Career Pathway Mapping the Valuable Professional Careers of Nursing Home Nurses, By Gary Cousins, NIPEC Senior Professional Officer.
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15 May 2026
Why is this guide needed?
The CIRCLE study (2022-2024) was developed to address the issue that many older LGBTQ+ people face significant barriers and inequalities when engaging with social care services in the UK.
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13 Apr 2026
Thinking Outside of the Box: Nobody Puts Nurses' Learning in a Box鈥�. Until now.
Thinking Outside of the Box: Nobody Puts Nurses' Learning in a Box鈥�. Until now. RCN Northern Ireland鈥檚 鈥淟ibrary in a Box鈥� Is Transforming Learning
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12 Jun 2025
Inspiring Change: Stacey鈥檚 Journey from Uncertainty to Nursing Leadership and Academic Excellence, Championing Care Homes as Rewarding Career Pathways.
I never wanted to be a nurse.
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2 Apr 2025
"The hidden impact of our independent sector school nurse legends: insights from a doctor shadowing"
Dr Conor McAvoy says the immensely challenging, complex and holistic work of a school-based nurse often goes unrecognised.
Events in Northern Ireland
Page last updated - 24/06/2026
