Royal College of Nursing - Company

On the final day of #RCN26, we are urging UK governments to take vital steps to reform commissioning and funding arrangements for social care. It’s widely recognised that when social care doesn’t work the impact is felt right across health and care, yet the necessary reform has never been delivered, nor has the required investment. These should include actions to address registered nurse shortages and for better pay, terms and conditions across social care. Explore our latest analysis of the social care workforce, and read our demands in full ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wDeAkF

🆕 | Our recent reports have revealed the growing financial pressures on students – and early career nurses burdened with student debt and stagnant wages. Our recent survey has showed: ▪️ 93% worried about finances ▪️ 60% cutting back on food & essentials ▪️ 19% have taken out a loan We are clear: better financial support for student nurses is needed to protect the future of the workforce. We’re urging the Westminster government to forgive student debt for early career nurses, which could retain more than 12,000 nurses in the NHS; and improve starting salaries and career progression opportunities. Read what we’re calling for in detail, in our latest news article. ⬇️

🆕 | Our analysis of NHS data from trusts in England shows that some children and young people in mental health crises are facing ‘barbaric’ waits of up to three days in A&E. Children and young people should receive the mental health care they need before they reach crisis point. That’s why, today at #RCN26, we are urging the Westminster government to expand its roll-out of mental health emergency units to protect children and young people, after data shows around half a million under-18s have visited A&E in a mental health crisis since 2019. Furthermore, we are demanding that the government use its new mental health strategy to address the social drivers of mental ill health in children, such as poverty, poor and insecure housing, social isolation, as well as unstable employment. Swipe to find out more, and read our latest member news https://bit.ly/3RO0zQW

🆕 | “Advanced nurse practice is essential to patient safety because it’s built on years of expertise and clinical judgement” Today at RCN Congress, members supported a resolution to safeguard advanced nursing practice and patient safety, committing to challenge narratives that undermine advanced level nursing. Read more ⬇️

🚨 | Health leaders, employers and politicians have allowed racism to flourish in the NHS, with more than 21,000 racist incidents reported in the last four years, an increase of 78%. Additionally, calls to our advice line about racist abuse also rose by 70% between 2022 and 2025. These figures are shocking, and they are only the tip of the iceberg. Dozens of trusts do not have reportable data on racist incidents and others shared implausibly low figures. Furthermore, we believe many nursing staff will not report an incident due to a lack of faith in their employer to act against it. This cannot continue to go on unchallenged. Government must bring an end to anti-migrant rhetoric from politicians, which emboldens racist behaviour. NHS employers must streamline and standardise their incident reporting systems and empower nursing staff to report ALL racial abuse. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4um2yKS

RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger addressed thousands of members at RCN Congress in Liverpool today in her keynote speech, covering nursing value, pay progression, safe staffing, NRN jobs, diversity in nursing and much more. Catch up on the five key takeaways from her speech ➡️ https://bit.ly/42IkQd3 #RCN26 #RCNCongress

As thousands of members gather in Liverpool, RCN President Bejoy Sebastian opens #RCN26 with a speech recalling many of the previous year’s nursing highlights, focusing on the power of collective action. Read more about Bejoy’s speech to members, Margaret Aspinall’s keynote, and find out more about Congress this year ➡️ https://bit.ly/43kOZPL #RCNCongress

Today we’re urging governments to deliver sustained investment to rebuild the nursing workforce and meet rising patient need. Our calls come as we publish our latest report, based on the experiences of 13,000 nursing staff, detailing the reality of their most recent shift. In the survey, almost a quarter said registered nurse numbers are “so far below” what is required there’s now a “high risk” of harm on shift, while only 10% say staffing was at the right level to meet all of a patient’s needs. The findings come as we as we begin our annual Congress in Liverpool, where later today in her keynote speech, RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary Professor Nicola Ranger will call for new, sustained investment to address these issues. Read the full findings, and about the action we’re demanding and support available for our members in our latest news story ⬇️ #RCN26

Joining us at #RCN26? From engaging debates to bespoke learning sessions and networking opportunities, view the programme on our website and personalise your schedule for the week ➡️ https://bit.ly/4uTiF2u

🆕 | In an interview with the Sunday Times ahead of RCN Congress in Liverpool, Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive, discussed pay reform, workforce pressures and the future of nursing, warning that action could be taken against employers who fail to implement agreed changes fairly. Read more ⬇️ #RCN26