South West members I am proud of you

I draft this from home as I reflect on, and recover from, RCN Congress 24. What a wonderful event it was.

To each and every South West member I would like to say how proud I was of our regional representation. 

South West members spoke out on debates, presented items, networked and engaged in a vast range of the additional agenda. It is safe to say that the South West voice was clear, concise and heard.

Planning is already underway in the organisation for Congress '25 in Liverpool and I’d urge any member to attend, I’ve never known anyone who didn’t get a great deal from the event, personally and professionally. We also encourage members to apply to attend as a voting member through the branch - these positions have expenses paid. A call for applications will be sent out later in the year so do keep your eye out for those emails and socials.

Moving forward, we are in the run-up to the General Election. You will have seen that our manifesto was launched during Congress. If you get any prospective parliamentary candidates on your doorstep or happen across any or indeed if you attend any local hustings do ask for their commitment to our asks. Please do not forget to take our photo ID with you when you go to vote on 4 July.

It takes a remarkable person to work in nursing. You all are remarkable people, so please use your vote on the 4 July.

Business as usual resumes for Council post-Congress and we continue with the organisation’s agenda with priorities including job evaluation, nursing pay and safe staffing.

I will update in more detail after our next full meeting where we will discuss the coming year’s agenda which will come from Congress.

I’ll finish by reminding you that all members are invited to attend the open sessions of our Regional Board meeting the next one is on 19 September with the open session taking place in the afternoon. 

If you would like to attend please contact tony.aspinall@rcn.org.uk to get the link to join by MS Teams or you can join in person at our offices in Exeter.