RCN Scotland
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Influencing on your behalf

Influencing Scottish health and social care policy and practice

We campaign on issues of concern to nursing staff and patients, influencing health policies and promoting excellence in nursing practice on behalf of our members.

Our influencing work

We respond to consultations from Scottish government, calls for evidence from the Scottish Parliament on proposed changes to policy or to the law, ensuring that the voice is nursing is represented. We regularly brief key political and sector stakeholders on the key issues impacting nursing staff and the actions needed to ensure our members receive the recognition and support they need and that nursing is an attractive and rewarding career for generations to come.
Green paper response

Read our latest responses:

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RCN report on the nursing workforce in Scotland

In our third instalment of ‘The Nursing Workforce in Scotland’ report it is evident that Scotland’s nursing workforce crisis is showing little sign of improvement. For the second year in a row, the headline recommendations in the report focus on the importance of the Ministerial led Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce and the need for a fully-funded nursing retention strategy.

Read the report
The-Nursing-Workforce-in-Scotland-2024

Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce

Find out more about how the Taskforce will work, the scope of its work and what the RCN expects

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Scotland election campaign 2021 Valuing workforce 1

Safe staffing in Scotland

Following sustained pressure from RCN Scotland and its members, the Scottish Government published a timetable for implementation. The timetable sets out a 21-month programme of work which will see the Act come into force from April 2024. We’ve been working with Scottish Government to help develop the statutory guidance that will help support effective implementation of the Act. We’re actively engaging with members to help shape an RCN Scotland response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the draft statutory guidance.
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A National Care Service for Scotland

Find out more about the review looking at the long-term future of adult social care in Scotland, what we've been doing so far and how you can get involved.

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Social Care

RCN Nursing Workforce Standards

The RCN's Nursing Workforce Standards are the first national blueprint for tackling the nursing staff shortage levels across the UK. They set the standard for excellent patient care and nursing support in all settings, and all UK countries.
Find out more
A blue background with white text that reads: "Nursing workforce standards: supporting a safe and effective nursing workforce."

What is community nursing in Scotland?

Watch our short film which provides a snapshot of what community nursing is in Scotland – where you’ll find the teams; who they care for; and a few facts and figures.

Watch now
Community nurse at work

Page last updated - 13/02/2025

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