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
Celebrate Care Home Open Week
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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17 May 2023
‘Just’ Anxiety?’ - Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
Jenifer French, RCN Wales Mental Health and Learning Disability Nurse Adviser, talks us through this year's focus for Mental Health Awareness week and stresses the need for those with severe mental illness to not be left behind.
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16 May 2023
Improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility
As RCN Congress discusses how it can support and improve awareness of unconscious bias within health care, Kokila Swamynathan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Inclusion and Diversity Manager and new RCN Wales Board member, reflects on her personal and professional experience of unconscious bias.
Page last updated - 27/06/2024