Happy New Year to you all. I am delighted to be writing to you as the new Chair of the RCN North West Regional Board and I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and elected me to this critical role. It fills me with immense pride.
To introduce myself to those who do not know me, I have been involved in the work of the RCN for five years, first as a Learning Rep and, in the past year, as a member of the Regional Board. I was raised and trained as a nurse in India, leaving for the UK in 2010, and have held a number of different positions at different organisations in that time, most recently as Clinical Placement Facilitator at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. You can read more about my journey to this point in this blog post from last year introducing the Board at the time.
I greatly enjoyed the experience and challenge of being part of our Regional Board and want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible contributions of our outgoing Board Chair, Carmel O’Boyle, and our Regional Director, Estephanie Dunn. Carmel’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental in guiding the region and galvanising our membership to effective activism. Estephanie’s tireless advocacy and strategic vision have left a lasting impact. Their efforts have built a strong foundation, and I am both humbled and inspired to follow in their footsteps.
Taking on this role felt like a natural progression in my journey with the RCN and my personal commitment to supporting our members. I was inspired to stand for election because I see the North West region as a hub of talent and potential, and I wanted to be a part of shaping its future. Professionally, I aim to advocate for increased inclusivity, amplify the voices of our members, and address the challenges we face collectively. Personally, I see this as an opportunity to grow as a leader and to give back to the community that has given me so much.
My overarching goal is to foster unity, collaboration, and inclusivity within the region while ensuring our priorities align with the needs of our members. I also hope to facilitate meaningful discussions and initiatives that will empower our members to thrive in their respective roles.
I am also incredibly pleased to see the growing representation of global majority members in key leadership positions, including the newly elected RCN President, Bejoy Sebastian. This is a significant step forward in creating a more inclusive and diverse leadership within our organisation.
On a personal note, I’m excited to share that I’ve recently secured a Clinical Fellowship with NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer’s and Chief Midwifery Officer’s Black Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group in the North West. This is an opportunity I am thrilled about, as it aligns closely with my commitment to advancing equity and inclusion within healthcare.
Looking ahead to the coming year, there is much to do and much to be positive about, though I must admit, the thought of RCN Congress 2025, which we are hosting in Liverpool, does give me a few palpitations! The responsibility is significant, but I am confident that with the support of our experienced council members, board members, and the entire North West membership, we will make this year’s Congress both memorable and meaningful.
Your board is here to represent your wishes so please stay active, attend your local branch meetings and help us to ensure that the voice of North West nursing is heard loud and clear. I very much look forward to working with you and for you all in the year to come.
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