RCN Northern Region
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Independent health and social care

Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Nursing 

Many of our members are employed in independent health and social care (IHSC) in Northern and the Yorkshire & the Humber regions. 

This diverse group includes all nursing staff employed in settings outside the NHS. That could be care homes, nursing agencies, private hospitals or somewhere else entirely. It also includes members – such as general practice nurses – who may provide NHS services but not be employed on Agenda for Change contracts.

As the voice of nursing, we’re committed to connecting, engaging and representing nursing staff, no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in. This page signposts to useful information and resources about IHSC in Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber regions. For more general information about IHSC across the UK, please see our ‘Nursing across independent health and social care’ page.

You can find more regionally specific information in the sections below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact Leanne Hume, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care (Northern Region): leanne.hume@rcn.org.uk or Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care (Yorkshire & the Humber Region): michelle.raddings@rcn.org.uk.

They work closely with our Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network, which brings together members from across the various IHSC setting in both regions to share and swap information and the latest news, learn from one another and network.

If you would like to get involved in the network then keep an eye on our events listing page, social media accounts and look out for emails from the RCN in your inbox.

Upcoming events

Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network

Our Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network brings together members from across the various IHSC setting in both regions to share and swap information and the latest news, learn from one another and network. The network is co-chaired by Sandra Blades in the Northern region and Cheryl Lythgoe in the Yorkshire & the Humber region.

Sandra Blades, Northern Co-Chair of the Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network 120x180

Sandra Blades - Northern Co-Chair of the Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber Independent Sector Network

Sandra’s main interest is in promoting person-centred care. After gaining a degree in Chemistry and working as a police officer until the late 1990s, she began a new career in the care sector in 1998. 

Sandra works with Age UK Teesside and the Citizens Advice Bureau delivering support services for older people, as well as local councils across South Tees, highlighting areas for development and contributing to the area’s joint strategic needs assessments on end-of-life care and dementia-friendly communities.

Sandra has been a member of the RCN Older People’s Forum Steering Committee since 2018, promoting the role of the independent sector nurse in multi-disciplinary teams. She has written blogs for the RCN forum and also recorded podcasts, which can be found on the RCN Older People’s Forum webpages. 
 

General resources

Find out more about nursing across independent health and social care here.
Most of the resources on our website are relevant to all members – no matter what sector or setting you’re employed in.

This includes many of our advice guides and subject guides, as well as the clinical information on RCN Learn:

4 blog posts
  • illustration of a diverse crowd Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings 21 Oct 2024

    A recap of our regional Independent Health and Social Care Conference

    Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurses for Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) in the Northern and Yorkshire and the Humber regions respectively, discuss the recent success of a joint regional IHSC conference.

  • A young boy getting his nasal flu vaccination Leanne Hume Leanne Hume 20 Sep 2024

    Defence against the harmful flu, one hero jab at a time

    Leanne Hume, our northern region IHSC lead nurse, talks about how the seasonal flu vaccination programme has donned its superhero cape to protect us once again this winter. 

  • Custody nursing in Stafford Prison 800x400 Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings 18 Jul 2024

    Behind bars and bandages: providing care in prison

    Leanne Hume and Michelle Raddings, our Lead Nurses for Independent Health and Social Care in the Northern and Yorkshire and Humber regions, discuss their visit to a regional reception prison and what they learned from the nursing staff there.

Become a representative

We are keen to recruit more RCN representatives who work within the independent sector. As an independent sector RCN representative, you would have the opportunity to make an even greater difference to patients and the working lives of your colleagues – as well as increasing your knowledge, developing new and transferable skills, and influencing important decisions.

If this is an area of work that interests you, and if you would like more information about becoming an independent sector RCN representative, please contact leanne.hume@rcn.org.uk. 


Page last updated - 14/10/2024

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