@hsj.co.uk reports today - NHS England has indicated that integrated care boards can scrap the roles of chief nurse and chief medical officer. Read more shorturl.at/Qu96W

Charlie Faulkner, Senior Regional Officer, and Jenna Williams, Regional Officer, have updated our union board in Musgrove Park Hospital today. They have also visited the wards with some pens to introduce to Jenna who is new to the patch to members

Our IHSC Lead Nurse, Sarah Winfield-Davies, visited Blossom Fields Nursing Home in Bristol yesterday. Sarah met Manager, Maggie Dance and Deputy, Jude Brain, seeing and hearing about all the great initiatives happening in the home and learning more about the award they recently won.

Working with others, we’ve managed to secure some significant improvements in the Employment Rights Bill. Changes we’ve pushed for will make sure statutory parental bereavement leave and pay are made available to people who have experienced pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. Learn more ⬇️

We are very excited to be welcoming the RCN President, Bejoy Sebastian, to the region today. He's visiting Musgrove Park Hospital to #GetOutTheVote on #NHSpay. He'll be with Senior RCN Officer Charlie Faulkner on the concourse outside Marks & Spencer from 11 am until 2:30 pm - drop by and say hello!

RCN Stewards Emma Migliari and Mike Paterson are with our Independent Health and Social Care Lead Nurse (South West) Sarah Winfield-Davies this morning at North Devon District Hospital to #GetOutTheVote on NHS pay. They're there until 11am. Have you had your say yet? www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Involved...

We were delighted to welcome Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive, to the region this week as we visited St Ann's Hospital, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset. Huge thanks to all the staff there for showing us around on such a beautiful sunny day.

Is a 3.6% pay rise enough to help you pay your bills and feel valued as a professional? #RCN Officer Jessie Tame and Senior RCN Officer Nikki Thomas are at Torbay Hospital today to #GetOutTheVote on #NHSpay. Have you voted yet? MAKE SURE YOU VOTE - go to this page: www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Involved...

We've been at Yeovil District Hospital today talking to members about the NHS pay consultation. Have you voted yet? Let us know if you think 3.6% is acceptable. www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Involved...

Regional Director Susan Masters (pictured) and Regional Communications Manager Tracey Roberts are visiting Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton today. Keep a lookout for them if you're working there and say hello #NHSPay #FairPayForNursing

3.6% - is it enough? Our consultation for members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland working on Agenda for Change terms and conditions is open NOW. Have your say: bit.ly/3Hz4BHZ If you are on AfC T&Cs but didn't get our email check we have your correct details at MYRCN my.rcn.org.uk/Login

Would you like free entry to and travel to and from the Downs for Bristol Pride 2025, along with discounts while there? RCN Greater Bristol branch is giving away Pride supporter wristbands to the first 30 members to book a place to march with them on Saturday 12 July. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...

The UK govt has announced a 3.6% pay award for nursing staff on Agenda for Change in England - an increase that will be swallowed up by inflation. Our consultation will open soon for you to tell us what you think. Only you and your colleagues can decide if it's enough to value nursing. Read more:

Are you a nursing support worker who works in Somerset, or do you know one? There are still places left on this free study event, happening online on 21 May. Please spread the word. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Thanks for such a lovely positive post Kirsten - it actually made the Congress media board this morning! 🙂

My speech on the importance of allowing patients to feel heard in order to reduce health inequalities at rcn congress #rcn25 @rcnsouthwest.bsky.social #nursing

Dorset's BJ Waltho proposed a resolution submitted by the Dorset branch on social care investment, seconded by Gloucestershire's Charlotte Jakab-Hall. Laura Adams (pictured right) also spoke persuasively and passionately on the topic. Read more about it here: www.rcn.org.uk/Congress/Con.... .

I spoke up about a subject close to my heart. It’s about more than visas. What is next? Are they going to look at those living in the U.K. with settled status? An emotive subject but one that needs to happen in light of the released white paper earlier this week. #RCN25

I'm about to head home from an amazing #RCN25. I absolutely love Congress but this year with NHS job cuts I didn't realise how much I needed Congress. Thank you to all the incredible people I've met. U have reminded me of my value. @rcndorset.bsky.social @rcnsouthwest.bsky.social @rcn.org.uk

Congress debated an emergency item on the proposed care workers' visa ban this morning. Gloucestershire branch's Ewout Jackson spoke passionately on the topic, having moved here from the Netherlands 15 years ago. The item was passed with overwhelming support shown for international colleagues.

Our newly released report on internationally educated nurses finds many plan to leave the UK due to low wages and the cost of living. They told us their personal stories of the impact of a lack of access to benefits and discrimination at work. bsky.app/profile/rcn....

The awesome members of @rcnsouthwest.bsky.social Learning, sharing, laughing and networking together. #rcn25

Well done to @rcndorset.bsky.social on getting your matter for discussion on artificial intelligence in nursing accepted onto the agenda and discussed by Congress at #RCN25. Here is RCN Dorset Branch Secretary and South West Board member Kirsten Bland introducing the topic.

Dorset Voting Member Laura Adams speaking in the debate to lobby the government to define a strategy on how Nursing staff can reduce harm associated with the impact of opioids across the UK. Well done Laura 👏👏👏 #RCN25

Tracey Tibaaga, a south west RCN student ambassador, spoke to a resolution submitted by the Students Committee on international student hardship and the need for more support from universities for this student group. "If we do not support international students we risk losing them", she said.

Emmanuel Asimah from Cornwall came up to the podium at #RCN25 and proposed that we change the item from a matter for discussion to a resolution. The audience agreed and the item was changed to a resolution, recognising its importance and the pivotal role of nursing in combatting human trafficking.

Adeoye Adedoyin from the South West has contributed to a rich debate on the role of nursing in preventing human trafficking - he quoted statistics estimating that 30 million people worldwide are trafficked. Nurses are in an ideal position to screen identify and support victims and we must. #RCN25

The debate on the impact of opioids was a matter for discussion at #RCN25 but it got changed to a resolution and it was overwhelmingly passed by the voting members in the auditorium. Wording below.

Lois Obidile-Ikwegbu spoke about synthetic opioids like fentanyl which she said is now the leading cause of drug-related deaths. "As nursing staff we are in a position to help reduce the harm they cause. A powerful tool is naloxone, which can reverse overdoses. We should all learn how to use it."

Laura Adams, @rcndorset.bsky.social voting member, contributed to the debate on opioid use at #RCN25. "As a palliative care nurse I have time to listen to patients to hear what's brought them to that point. It's so important to focus on the holistic: the spiritual, psychological, & social aspects."

Lois Obidile-Ikwegbu addressed burnout today at RCN Congress #RCN25 during a discussion item about the need for a better work-life balance for nursing staff. "You cannot give what you don't have", she argued. She ended with a rousing call to action: "We deserve to thrive and not just to survive". 👏

Happy #InternationalNursesDay. Your Regional Director @susanmasters.bsky.social and the rest of the RCN South West team say THANK YOU for everything you do for those in your care. Take some time to celebrate yourself by watching and sharing this very short film...

Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary & Chief Executive, is delivering her keynote address to thousands of members at #RCN25 today. She will tell our internationally educated members what the RCN is demanding the UK government do to properly value their contribution to health and care services.

Nurses must talk more about the “good as well as the bad” parts of the job to avoid discouraging people from joining the profession - but also warned the government not to abuse their love for the job. www.nursingtimes.net/workforce/nu...

@bjgw.bsky.social starting the debates off with and inspiring conversation celebrating the Nursing Profession. #RCN25 #NursesDay2025 @rcnsouthwest.bsky.social @rcn.org.uk

Some of #RCNDorsetBranch heading to Liverpool for #Congress #RCN25 @rcn.org.uk @rcnsouthwest.bsky.social

Matthew Stewart from Gloucestershire has been given a prestigious Award of Merit 🏅 at the Royal College of Nursing’s annual Congress in Liverpool. Congratulations Matthew! 👏 www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...

From your South West RCN Council member Ashleigh Taylor: "I’m finally sitting on a seat on attempt two to start my journey up to Congress 2025 and I reflect what a whirlwind the last few months have been." Read on for your first Council update of 2025... www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Happy Nurses' Day. Thank you for everything you do for your patients, for their families, for your colleagues and your profession too. Your strength and dedication do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We see you and we are grateful for you. fb.watch/zxDCivylXY/

Want to know more about being a leader in the RCN? Read about our RCN member roles here #getactive #TheRCN

Regional Officer Jessie Tame will be on site at Callington Road hospital next Wednesday. Come and have a chat about the pressures you are experiencing, tell us about your challenges and how the RCN can support you. Wednesday 12 March 2025, 11:00am – 2:00pm Managers Meeting Room

A whirlwind visit to Devon last week by Nicola Ranger, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, who met teams across South Devon in a range of settings. Nicola said she was struck by the commitment of members to advocate for their service users and is committed to the RCN supporting them.

RCN staff Nicola and Tony are at Oxtalls, Uni of Glos today, ready to meet nursing students