Change is in the air

There can be no dispute that the topic on everyone’s lips right now is the General Election. In just a couple of days’ time we will have a new government, regardless of the outcome, and it is imperative that we ensure that nursing is near the very top of their agenda going forwards. 

Some of you may know for whom you are voting, no deliberation necessary, whereas others may be yet to decide. I would urge you all, first and foremost, to ensure that you do use your vote. Those that claim that ‘all politicians are the same’ are wrong – there is integrity, a strong sense of community and social responsibility to be found all over Westminster. But it needs to be sought out. It is our personal responsibility to ensure that we make an informed choice on Thursday and vote for the party or the individual that we believe will fight for our NHS, our social care system, our profession. You can read our comparison of the main parties’ manifestos here. 

I urge you to take the time to read our own manifesto and, if given the opportunity to do so, speak to your local candidates about our expectations of them if elected. Our General Election homepage will tell you what we are asking for, how you can get involved and provides a wealth of facts and figures about the reality of nursing today. You don’t need me to tell you that our entire health and social care system is hanging by a thread – we must make those with the power to effect change listen to our first-hand experience and act accordingly. 

Along with a number of our regional members, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to state the case for nursing to two influential political figures in the past week. We met with Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, on Tuesday last. We discussed the issues faced by overseas educated nurses who come to this country and the significant challenges they face. Much of these remain hidden because these nurses fear recriminations for speaking out, and I would ask that you please consider your role in this if you witness or are told about any of the poor treatment faced by our colleagues. These are people who have travelled here from across the world to deliver nursing care across all care sectors in this unprecedent workforce crisis. They deserve better, allyship is a key pillar of anti-discriminatory practice and the NMC Code aligned to protecting people.

We also had time with Wes Streeting, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Health at the Windrush celebration event in Manchester a week ago. Wes was keen to engage with nursing staff and in particular hear about the experiences of nursing staff from overseas. Our members did the RCN proud and questioned his party’s commitment to nursing, whilst handing him the RCN manifesto asks as reading for his train journey home. As he left us, he made a commitment to join us again at a future date. Other regional MP were also present on the day and visited the RCN stand to talk with us. CAHN, organisers of the event, confirmed that they did extend an invitation to all parties. 

In another part of our region, Windrush Initiatives hosted an event in Preston, which we were sadly unable to attend due to the GM event being held on the same day. Adrian Murrell, who leads the organisation hosting the event, shared the photographs and commented “Preston started the Windrush Festival long before the Windrush Scandal. Preston has been celebrating it for over a decade, and now it has grown to become one of the most multicultural events in the City.” 

We are right to hold our public figures to account for their words and actions, but we must be prepared to examine and learn from our own failings also. To that end, I am delighted that we recently launched our new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy. 

The primary aim of the new strategy is to ensure that the RCN is an organisation where inequity, discrimination and racism are eliminated and to campaign tirelessly on behalf of our members to bring those same standards to their own workplaces, too. Please support and get involved in activity that is happening across your patch.

In the past, the College has sometimes fallen short of the standards that should reasonably be expected of an organisation of its nature and size, and Bruce Carr KC’s independent review into the culture here made for uncomfortable reading at times. This new strategy is to be a constantly evolving document, one which reflects the ever-moving times, but which also recognises one basic, immovable tenet – that we are all entitled to be treated with respect and equity and that the make up and lived experience of the College and its leaders should reflect that of our membership. I hope you will take the time to read our EDI strategy and your feedback would be most welcome, you can share it here. 

Whilst none of us would wish away the summer, our regional team are already taking the necessary steps to prepare for the autumn’s branch AGMs. These local AGMs are a legal requirement and, as a member-led organisation, having functioning branches representing our membership across the entire country is absolutely essential to our existence. 

I do not wish to preach or add to the many and varied calls on your time and attention that modern life demands. I would just say that if you can possibly spare the time, then please do come along to your local branch meetings (which you can find advertised on our website's event pages) and, most particularly, your AGM. The benefits of having an engaged membership are clear to all to see. The needs and wants of our members the length and breadth of the country is what dictates our policies and our campaigning. Our RCN Council is made up of members, including our own Maggy Heaton, who began as a rep and a member of her local branch executive and now speaks for the region at the top table of the organisation. If you are passionate about protecting and promoting the role of nursing in our society, then getting involved in your local branch is the perfect first step. You can read more about the various roles on the branch executive teams under Branches in the Policies and Processes section of our Governance documents here. 

Another thing that we are looking ahead to in region includes August’s celebration of South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), which takes place nationally over July and August. This year, we are delighted to be working again with the curator and NHSE North-West, at the South Asian gallery at Manchester Museum to create a new installation reflecting the lives, history and contribution from nurses of South Asian heritage across the health and independent/social care sectors. We anticipate that the installation will open before the end of the year and we will be seeking your input in the coming weeks. If you are interested in getting involved in the curation of this piece, please keep an eye on your inbox. 

I hope that the summer months will bring the opportunity for some time away to rest and reset. Or, if holidays are not on your schedule for the coming months, that you at least are treated to some rare summer sunshine. Whatever the weather, we are always here to provide help and support should you need us and are only ever a phone call away.