Following the scheduled review of the existing RCN Member Resolution Policy, the RCN commissioned external consultancy Unheard Voice to invite the views of members to inform an update on the policy.
As a result, the RCN Council has approved the new Member Resolution and Disciplinary Policy, which has now been published. It will enable the RCN to support members who have concerns about the behaviours of others by providing a fair and just process to seek resolution, while addressing poor conduct where needed.
All elected and appointed members, as well as those with experience of the process, were invited to make submissions to the external review and provision was also made for anonymous submissions.
The review and experience of members informed 5 key areas of development for the policy.
- The experience of members raising complaints or being named in a complaint at the start of the process.
- How the RCN can better support and encourage informal resolution of matters where that is appropriate.
- More robust management of timeframes and actions within the formal disciplinary investigation and hearing stages.
- The support provided to members throughout the resolution process.
- Clear lines of accountability for the delivery of the process and how the RCN manages the concerns of members during the process.
Providing a robust but transparent policy ensures that members have confidence in the RCN’s ability to manage allegations of poor behaviour, but it is clear from the experiences shared that at times this has not always been the case.
In line with the areas of feedback, significant changes have been made to the policy, working collaboratively with RCN Council to agree a policy that both members and staff can have confidence in.
