Our work

Who we are and what we do

We are the RCN’s Children and Young People Acute Care Forum. This includes departments such as- Neonates, PICU, Emergency Department, Paediatric inpatient wards, HDU & Theatres. We regularly engage and represent the RCN at national meetings to ensure the Nursing voice helps to influence policy and practice changes. By bringing Children and Young People’s Nurses who work in acute care together with National stakeholders, we have developed guidelines that are used in everyday practice. We are also a place for those working or interested in acute care to seek support, network, learn and develop.

Forum committee

We have 7 Forum Committee Members including our Chair Katie Bagstaff. As committee members we have a wide range of specialist interests and are keen to add to this growing list.

Current areas of specialist interest include

Surgery, anaesthetics, perioperative care, recovery, cross registration working, Neonatal care, Nursing Students, PICU, simulation training, education, neuro, renal, leadership, workforce-including their wellbeing, young people’s health, transition pathways, mental health, paediatric trauma and patient experience.

Specialist interest areas we’re looking to develop

Tackling health inequalities, childhood obesity, adolescent health, and safeguarding. We’re also looking to increase representation for those working in general children and young people nursing and nursing support worker roles.

How to get involved

If you’re interested in joining the forum or want to know more about supporting us as one of our Specialist Interest Link Roles then please contact us at cypadmin@rcn.org.uk.

The focus of our forum is Acute Care. Through our committee members and specialist link roles we also help inform work that goes across the five CYP Forums. These areas of work are: CYP Mental Health, Adolescent Health, Childhood obesity, Tackling Health Inequalities, Safeguarding, Transitions/Location of care, Students, Workforce. 

• Joint CYP Forums Strategy 2022 - View the 2022 strategy
• CYP Acute Care Forum annual report 2022