![Wales-IHSC-header](https://www.rcn.org.uk/wales/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/IHSC/Wales-IHSC-header.png?h=380&w=1980&la=en&hash=EDE1CA4EF37B521AFAEE4650A8B386E8)
Independent health and social care in Scotland
Many of our members in Scotland are employed in independent health and social care (IHSC).
This includes members working in settings outside the NHS such as:
- Care homes
- Nursing agencies
- Independent hospitals
- General practices
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 Scotland. For more general information about IHSC across the UK, please see our ‘Nursing across independent health and social care’ page.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact Carol Dale, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in Scotland, at Carol.Dale@rcn.org.uk.
Celebrating our IHSC members in Wales
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Celebrate Care Home Open Week
![NNOTY24](https://www.rcn.org.uk/wales/-/media/Royal-College-Of-Nursing/Images/IHSC/NNOTY24.png?h=300&w=683&la=en&hash=B06751621B90B29EAF91D10A396964C4)
Nurse of the year award 2024
Understanding the IHSC workforce in Scotland
Care homes make up the largest group of IHSC employers, with over half (56%) of nurses registered with the SSSC employed directly in care homes for adults. In addition to registered nurses, an estimated 33,480 care workers are working in adult care homes in Scotland.
Nursing agencies make up the next largest group of employers, employing 4 in 10 (39%) of nurses registered with the SSSC. These agencies supply significant numbers of staff to both the NHS and other IHSC settings.
Other employers include independent hospitals and hospices, general practices, care at home support services and prisons.
General nursing resources
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.
Hear from our members in Wales
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1 Nov 2023
What do learning disability nurses do?
Professor Ruth Northway OBE FRCN, Learning Disability Advisor at RCN Wales, tackles the lack of awareness around learning disability nursing.
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17 Oct 2023
RCN NI Independent Sector Runner-Up Award
I am proud to say that my journey to achieving change in nursing homes has resulted in recognition of my hard work and dedication. I was honoured to receive the RCN NI Independent Sector Runner-Up Award.
Page last updated - 27/06/2024