![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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26 Oct 2022
"It’s my chance to make a difference and speak up for colleagues in non-NHS settings”
Claire Sutton, our new Transformational Lead for the Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) Sector, discusses how her dad’s death led her to become a nurse, the challenges she’s faced in IHSC and how working for the RCN is her chance to make a difference.
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10 Oct 2022
Fair pay - Fair play for UK nurses on this World Mental Health Day
As we prepare to celebrate 30 years of World Mental Health Day it would be inexcusable to ignore the mental health crisis that`s happening now for so many nurses.
Page last updated - 27/06/2024