The Netflix hit show Bridgerton recently arrived back on our screens and it set me thinking about the ways in which we all communicate with each other. Far from the scandal of Lady Whistledown’s printed gossip pamphlet, people huddled in corners reading her latest offering, nowadays we have the ability to reach many more people in a great variety of ways.
Our social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram) offer many opportunities for discourse and, when used well, provide a platform for professional discussion and the sharing of information and ideas and celebrating our successes. I love the @we communities for providing support and I regularly reach out to people who are adept at teaching, regularly finding new learning resources to enhance my practice.
I also interact with our RCN forums online and the RCN Library team have great insight and fantastic learning events, I highly recommend getting involved.
Our North West blogs are an excellent way of keeping in touch with what is happening in our region. Our local communications team are amazing and help us reach our members via email, our regional website, social media, blogs and so much more. If there is something you would like to discuss or write a blog on, please contact them by email, they are always happy to help. The RCN is the voice of nursing but they need to hear from you to find the words to say!
Sometimes the world of social media can be overwhelming and daunting, with perhaps our messages being distorted and inviting unwanted commentary. I remind us all to think of our NMC Code of Conduct at all times, particularly when interacting online.
Our online communication is not the only way we connect. As healthcare professionals, our interactions are wide and varied. From the smallest touch to the most complex procedures. From the taking of a temperature to suturing a wound. From helping someone brush their teeth to administering medication. Or, very simply, the holding of a hand.
As a student, I was fortunate enough to take part in a placement in India, an experience that will shape me forever. There I met a young lady who was very ill. She was very young, about the same age as my son. She was frightened and she spoke to my heart. My spoken language skills are woefully inadequate though and neither of us could understand each other’s spoken words. So, instead, we sat hand in hand for a while, not speaking, just being, holding hands, until she fell asleep. I could do nothing for her, but I hope, just for a moment, she felt a little safer and a little less frightened. I hope that in that little moment, the international language of nursing got through.
Another time on the ward, an elderly patient was very upset and so I sang to her. We danced to Frank Sinatra and she calmed, eventually able to settle and relax. Music can have an important part to play in healthcare. We have learnt that singing can help with respiratory health, so important in a post pandemic world. Music also helps our patients living with dementia. Playlist for Life are an amazing organisation, allowing people to inspire and live well via music. They taught us at Congress and I love their work with music and memories. Find out more about them here, www.playlistforlife.org.uk
Wales welcomed us this year for our annual Congress and we were truly embraced by our Welsh family. Diolch yn fawr iawn, thank you so much. We came together to debate, to listen and to learn. Our speakers were inspirational. Gareth Thomas spoke of his personal experiences and his work with Tackle HIV. Linda Silas helped us to Get Loud, talking about nursing ratios and safety, a message dear to all our hearts. And our own Acting General Secretary Nicola Ranger reminded us that our voices are important, never more so than now, at this time of a General Election.
Our politicians need to hear us, need to recognise the almost unquantifiable importance and impact of the nursing family on the lives and wellbeing of our nation. They need to end the exploitation of health and social care workers and properly fund the sector. We must demand that they abandon legislation restricting the right to strike. And we must make every politician recognise that they need the nursing vote. Every nursing voice matters, for the good of our patients, their families and all who we serve in our communities.
The North West region was deeply involved in the Congress agenda, bringing debates on crumbling estates and the impact that has on patients and workers. We also discussed the work of our Reps and how the RCN advocates for their ability to represent our members in their workplaces. We also considered the new legislation on assisted dying, a particularly emotive debate, and I would like to personally thank all those who took part in our debates. And to those who reached out to me, particularly after our resolution. It was very emotional and I appreciate all the hugs, gestures and kind words.
Congress is an amazing week. We celebrate and learn together and I look forward to our conference returning to the Liverpool next year. You will receive communications in the next few months about the plans for 2025, including how to become a voting member and how to get involved in the agenda. If you’ve never been to Congress, I urge you to get involved.
Whilst Congress is a great way of getting involved with the RCN, please don’t forget that your local branch has regular meetings and your workplace reps are available should you needs us. As you’ve heard me say many times, the RCN is yours, your voice, your college and trade union, so get involved.
Our new EDI strategy launched at the end of May, shows the college that we want to be, that we want to be inclusive, to be representative of our profession and our communities, so get involved, we need you. Keep an eye out for forthcoming elections, go to a branch meeting, stand for election and use your vote, make your voice heard.
As the General Election is this week, I remind you all to vote, exercise your legal right to choose, and vote with your hearts. As Nye Bevan said, the NHS will last as long as there are folk left with faith to fight for it. And fight we shall, with our patients at the heart of all we do, as always.
Stay informed, get involved, be active, be kind.
Our social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram) offer many opportunities for discourse and, when used well, provide a platform for professional discussion and the sharing of information and ideas and celebrating our successes. I love the @we communities for providing support and I regularly reach out to people who are adept at teaching, regularly finding new learning resources to enhance my practice.
I also interact with our RCN forums online and the RCN Library team have great insight and fantastic learning events, I highly recommend getting involved.
Our North West blogs are an excellent way of keeping in touch with what is happening in our region. Our local communications team are amazing and help us reach our members via email, our regional website, social media, blogs and so much more. If there is something you would like to discuss or write a blog on, please contact them by email, they are always happy to help. The RCN is the voice of nursing but they need to hear from you to find the words to say!
Sometimes the world of social media can be overwhelming and daunting, with perhaps our messages being distorted and inviting unwanted commentary. I remind us all to think of our NMC Code of Conduct at all times, particularly when interacting online.
Our online communication is not the only way we connect. As healthcare professionals, our interactions are wide and varied. From the smallest touch to the most complex procedures. From the taking of a temperature to suturing a wound. From helping someone brush their teeth to administering medication. Or, very simply, the holding of a hand.
As a student, I was fortunate enough to take part in a placement in India, an experience that will shape me forever. There I met a young lady who was very ill. She was very young, about the same age as my son. She was frightened and she spoke to my heart. My spoken language skills are woefully inadequate though and neither of us could understand each other’s spoken words. So, instead, we sat hand in hand for a while, not speaking, just being, holding hands, until she fell asleep. I could do nothing for her, but I hope, just for a moment, she felt a little safer and a little less frightened. I hope that in that little moment, the international language of nursing got through.
Another time on the ward, an elderly patient was very upset and so I sang to her. We danced to Frank Sinatra and she calmed, eventually able to settle and relax. Music can have an important part to play in healthcare. We have learnt that singing can help with respiratory health, so important in a post pandemic world. Music also helps our patients living with dementia. Playlist for Life are an amazing organisation, allowing people to inspire and live well via music. They taught us at Congress and I love their work with music and memories. Find out more about them here, www.playlistforlife.org.uk
Wales welcomed us this year for our annual Congress and we were truly embraced by our Welsh family. Diolch yn fawr iawn, thank you so much. We came together to debate, to listen and to learn. Our speakers were inspirational. Gareth Thomas spoke of his personal experiences and his work with Tackle HIV. Linda Silas helped us to Get Loud, talking about nursing ratios and safety, a message dear to all our hearts. And our own Acting General Secretary Nicola Ranger reminded us that our voices are important, never more so than now, at this time of a General Election.
Our politicians need to hear us, need to recognise the almost unquantifiable importance and impact of the nursing family on the lives and wellbeing of our nation. They need to end the exploitation of health and social care workers and properly fund the sector. We must demand that they abandon legislation restricting the right to strike. And we must make every politician recognise that they need the nursing vote. Every nursing voice matters, for the good of our patients, their families and all who we serve in our communities.
The North West region was deeply involved in the Congress agenda, bringing debates on crumbling estates and the impact that has on patients and workers. We also discussed the work of our Reps and how the RCN advocates for their ability to represent our members in their workplaces. We also considered the new legislation on assisted dying, a particularly emotive debate, and I would like to personally thank all those who took part in our debates. And to those who reached out to me, particularly after our resolution. It was very emotional and I appreciate all the hugs, gestures and kind words.
Congress is an amazing week. We celebrate and learn together and I look forward to our conference returning to the Liverpool next year. You will receive communications in the next few months about the plans for 2025, including how to become a voting member and how to get involved in the agenda. If you’ve never been to Congress, I urge you to get involved.
Whilst Congress is a great way of getting involved with the RCN, please don’t forget that your local branch has regular meetings and your workplace reps are available should you needs us. As you’ve heard me say many times, the RCN is yours, your voice, your college and trade union, so get involved.
Our new EDI strategy launched at the end of May, shows the college that we want to be, that we want to be inclusive, to be representative of our profession and our communities, so get involved, we need you. Keep an eye out for forthcoming elections, go to a branch meeting, stand for election and use your vote, make your voice heard.
As the General Election is this week, I remind you all to vote, exercise your legal right to choose, and vote with your hearts. As Nye Bevan said, the NHS will last as long as there are folk left with faith to fight for it. And fight we shall, with our patients at the heart of all we do, as always.
Stay informed, get involved, be active, be kind.
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