Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome

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.

  • 7 Sep 2012

    The South West Pay Cartel

    The RCN has published a briefing showing the likely effect of moves towards regional pay in the south west of England. The briefing showing the precarious nature of health care in the region and how trusts have already begun cutting jobs and services to meet financial targets.

  • 3 Sep 2012

    RCN factsheet: Health and wellbeing boards

    Short briefing on health and wellbeing boards, one of the new types of organisation formed by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

  • 3 Sep 2012

    RCN factsheet: Clinical senates and strategic clinical networks

    Short briefing on clinical senates and strategic clinical networks, two new types of organisation formed by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

  • 24 Aug 2012

    Care Quality Commission insights from member focus group and interviews

    The RCN continues to monitor the Care Quality Commission given how important it’s role is in helping identify poor care. This briefing provides an overview of discussions at Congress in a focus group where members told us more about how they see the CQC.

  • 8 Aug 2012

    POLICY BRIEFING: The RCN and the European Union

    EU policies and legislation have had a major impact on policy issues that directly impact on nurses’ working lives, such as employment rights; equal opportunities; health and safety at work; environmental protection and food safety. As an EU member country we are part of a system for recognising nurses’ qualifications which allows UK nurses to practise in other European countries and lays down common minimum standards for nursing and midwifery education across the EU.

  • 8 Aug 2012

    Our NHS care objectives

    The Department of Health published a draft mandate to the NHS Commissioning Board on 4 July 2012. The mandate is the mechanism that the Secretary of State for Health will use to set out what the NHS Commissioning Board has to deliver. The consultation on the draft mandate runs until 26 September.

  • 31 Jul 2012

    Social care reform

    The long awaited care and support white paper and an accompanying draft bill and progress report on funding reform were published on 11 July 2012. Much of the content of the white paper and bill were derived from the Government’s consultation on social care reform that the RCN responded to in December last year. The draft bill covers changes to legislation that would be required to implement the Government’s vision for reform, as outlined in the white paper, and the Government has asked for views and comments about the bill. The funding progress report follows the Government’s consideration of the Dilnot Commission’s recommendations on social care funding, published last year. This briefing examines the detail of the white paper, draft bill and funding progress report and reflects on the positives and negatives in relation to the RCN’s positions and how changes will impact on service users and patients, their families and carers, and care and support staff.

  • 26 Jul 2012

    NHS failure regime

    This briefing provides an overview of the current and future approaches to an NHS failure regime.

  • 26 Jul 2012

    Clinical Commissioning Groups: An overview of the authorisation process

    The Health and Social Care Act 2012 includes radical reform of the way that health care is commissioned in England. This RCN factual briefing is intended as a user-friendly summary of the authorisation process for CCGs, focusing in particular on the nursing role in the new commissioning landscape.

  • 25 Jul 2012

    New monitor in England

    This briefing note sets out how the role of Monitor is changing under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Although much is still unknown about how Monitor will implement the changes set out in law, this briefing provides an overview of what we know and raises some issues for nurses.