Putting EDI at the heart of the RCN

I want to start by reflecting on the news this week that Professor Pat Cullen has stepped down as RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive to seek election to parliament in the upcoming general election. I thank her for her leadership of the College over the last three years – and I thank her for her friendship and support to me in my role as President. I know we are in safe hands with Professor Nicola Ranger, our Acting General Secretary and Chief Executive.

I don’t think many of you will have missed last week’s big announcement as our rain-soaked Prime Minister called a general election for 4 July. We can now expect all our political parties to start making promises about what they plan to do should the vote fall in their favour - what we need to hear are the commitments our prospective future leaders will make to nursing. We’ll be explicit in our demands as they seek to secure the nursing vote. You’ll find out more when we launch our manifesto in the coming days.

I'm delighted that our five-year equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy has launched today. When I stood for election as your President, I identified EDI as one of my priorities. Thanks to your collaboration and input we have developed a strategy that will turn our willingness to change into tangible actions.

Our strategy is a response to the challenges that were highlighted in reviews of our governance and culture and is an opportunity for us to recommit and realign our efforts to put members at the heart of what we do. I am confident that in five years’ time we will be more diverse, inclusive, and reflective of our membership and better represent your voices.

I am committed to seeing the actions of our strategy happen and witness internal change and external leadership of what it means to be inclusive. One of the priorities of the strategy sits firmly with me and College leaders as we take accountability for EDI – I will not fail you on this. EDI is so important to me personally and professionally – every time I represent the College I represent every one of you and I will constantly strive to do that responsibility justice in my actions and words.

Finally, I look forward to meeting and talking to many of you at Congress from Sunday, as we discuss and debate the big issues facing our profession. If you can’t join us in person, please do watch all the debates and keynote speeches on the RCN website.