New Chair and Vice Chair of RCN Congress announced

Above image: Linda Bailey (left) and Patience Bamisaye (right).

The newly elected Chair and Vice Chair have vowed to make Congress 2025 in Liverpool a welcoming and inclusive experience for all, encouraging lively debate and advocating for the diversity of the nursing profession.

RCN Congress is the pinnacle of the RCN’s event calendar with thousands of nursing staff from around the UK gathering for 4 days of debating, learning and networking with high-profile speakers, fringe events and an exhibition.

The roles of Chair and Vice Chair are important to ensure the smooth running of the event. Items on the debate and discussion agenda are put forward by members and include topics about nursing that matter most to them. Previous debates have been on issues as varied as corridor care, digital transformation and assisted dying.

Members can vote on debates to be taken forward as a focus of future work for the RCN.

Linda Bailey has an extensive nursing background in public health and has held several roles within the RCN including Vice Chair of Congress. She also covered the role of Chair in 2023.

On being elected to Chair of Congress Linda said: “I’m so privileged to be given the support of the membership to become your next Chair of Congress. Having spent the last 2 years as Vice Chair, I feel ready to step up to the challenge.

“It’s my mission to make Congress the best experience it can possibly be for all, and I’m passionate about making it a more inclusive and welcoming experience in line with the RCN’s equity, diversity and inclusion strategy.

“I’ll work hard to ensure an equitable mix of agenda items at Congress, making sure our diverse membership is considered, and I want to include more first-time speakers too.”

Senior nursing lecturer Patience Bamisaye began her nursing and midwifery career in Nigeria before achieving her master’s degree in nursing at Anglia Ruskin University in 2015. Patience has been an RCN Eastern Board member and is committed to supporting the full range of RCN members, including students and health care assistants.

Patience said: “I’m thrilled to be the new Vice Chair of Congress, and I’m dedicated to advocating for a transformational agenda. I’m a confident and effective communicator and will aim to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect in the debate hall.”

Linda and Patience will start their roles immediately and stay in them until the end of Congress 2026.

RCN Congress takes place in Liverpool from 12 – 15 May 2025. Look out for updates and how you can book your place or propose a debate.