RCN briefings
Policy briefings, parliamentary briefings and consultation responses on the issues that matter to nursing staff
The RCN works with government, think tanks and other stakeholders to ensure the voice of nursing is heard. You can get involved in policy development by taking part in surveys, workshops, seminars and briefings.
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27 May 2014
Tobacco Products Directive
The Tobacco Products Directive came into force on 19 May 2014 and must be transposed into national legislation by May 2016. This briefing sets out the final changes agreed at EU level in relation to health warnings on tobacco products, packaging, flavouring, new measures to combat smuggling of tobacco and e-cigarettes. The RCN has been working closely with its European and national alliances to influence the content of the directive and will continue to lobby on issues that promote healthier lifestyles, (particularly in the early years).
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25 Mar 2014
Social care in England: A guide for nursing staff
This summary paper provides a brief overview of the current state of play regarding social care provision in England including: the current system and its problems; changes consequent from the Health and Social Care Act 2012; recent proposals for reforming the system and RCN policy positions in relation to some of the proposed changes.
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5 Mar 2014
CONSULTATION RESPONSE: Consultation on the time limits for completion of education across all NMC education standards
The RCN has responded to the Nursing and Midwifery Council's consultation on proposals to amend its standards for the training of nurses and midwives by removing the current mandatory maximum time limits allowed for the completion of pre and post-registration programmes, to allow for unforeseen interruptions.
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1 Mar 2014
POLICY: RCN in Scotland - Principles for delivering the integration of care
The RCN Scotland’s position on delivering integrated care in Scotland
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7 Feb 2014
New fundamental standards in England
The Department of Health are consulting on new legislation that will underpin the work of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. They are proposing new fundamental standards of care as recommended by the Francis Inquiry. This briefing provides more details on the proposed fundamental standards and asks for your views on them.
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5 Feb 2014
RCN briefing on the NMC consultation on a proposed model of revalidation
The Nursing and Midwifery Council are consulting on proposals for the revalidation of nurses and midwives. This briefing is intended to provide background to these proposals and to highlight the key issues for nurses to consider.
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30 Jan 2014
The weaknesses of voluntary regulation for health care support workers
The RCN has updated the December 2012 briefing on the weaknesses of voluntary regulation of support workers, calling for mandatory regulation underpinned by the law.
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22 Jan 2014
Monitor and regulating the independent sector
Monitor is consulting on the best way to scrutinise the financial sustainability of independent sector providers who are providing essential services.
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17 Jan 2014
Registration of overseas trained nurses in the UK
International nurses and midwives have become an important part of the workforce in many western countries and the United Kingdom (UK) has long benefited from their skills and expertise. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is undertaking a review of its registration process for overseas trained nurses and midwives. This briefing provides a discussion of the experiences and systems used in other countries that also have a heavy reliance on the intake of ONTs. The purpose is to give an overview of the key issues and reflect on the experiences of other countries, highlighting opportunities to learn from some of their challenges and successes.
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18 Dec 2013
The independent sector: History and role in England
This briefing provides an overview of the independent sector involvement in health care in England from the past to 2012 including key positions that the RCN has taken on these important issues.
