'Lansley must listen to nurses on the front line' RCN Congress 2009
All the latest news and opinion from the RCN Congress 2009
RCN Congress: Video
RCN Congress: Nurses views on the week's hot topics
Nursing Times talks to nurses at RCN Congress to find out their views on the stories making the news this week
RCN Congress: Reaction to Gordon Brown and David Cameron's speeches
Nursing Times talks to nurses at RCN Congress to find out what they thought of the speeches made by Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
RCN Congress: Breaking news
Unhappy members force RCN to halt structural review
The Royal College of Nursing has been forced to put a major review of its structure on hold after an outcry on the final day of congress.
Congress rejects plan to pay people to be healthier
Nurses have rejected calls to introduce financial incentives for improved public health behaviour.
Academic attacks media 'myths' about nursing profession
A nursing historian has attacked media critics that express “highly critical” but “ill informed” opinions about the profession.
Lansley faces cuts and pensions complaints at RCN congress
The health secretary fought to rebut complaints about service cuts and damage to pensions in his speech to the Royal College of Nursing annual congress.
Community nursing 'overburdened', warns RCN
The majority of community nurses say they are facing cutbacks and spending less time with patients, according to survey results revealed yesterday.
RCN warns of treatment in corridors and long trolley waits
Patients are being routinely left on trolleys for hours and treated in corridors and other inappropriate areas, the Royal College of Nursing has warned in the wake of new survey results.
Lansley set to brave this year's RCN congress
Health secretary Andrew Lansley is to address the Royal College of Nursing’s annual congress this year, it has been announced.
Mandatory flu jabs for nurses among RCN congress resolutions
Mandatory flu vaccination for nursing staff and an “honest debate” about the future of general hospital services will be among the issues debated at this year’s Royal College of Nursing congress.
Trust decides against nursing pay freeze
A foundation trust that had proposed freezing increases in nurses’ pay has backed down on the plan.
RCN congress threatens ballot for industrial action if employers attack national pay deal
Did Andrew Lansley do enough at congress to reassure nurses about his reforms?
Tuition fees announcement this autumn, says Milton
Health minister Anne Milton has revealed that the Department of Health is in talks with the Treasury about how to fund university tuition fees for nurses, and plans to make an announcement on the subject in the autumn.
Nurses debate annual staff MOTs
Nurses are less well looked after than wheelchairs, the Royal College of Nursing congress was told yesterday.
Nurses vote in favour of law on staffing ratios
The Royal College of Nursing has called on its leaders to campaign for legally enforceable staff-to-patient ratios, despite fears that the measure could prompt a “race to the bottom” to minimum levels.
Lansley responds to no confidence vote by claiming RCN supported health bill
Andrew Lansley has responded to a “no confidence” vote from the Royal College of Nursing Congress by claiming the college had supported his reforms.
Nurses accuse Andrew Lansley of lacking the 'guts' to face RCN congress
Nurses have accused Andrew Lansley of not having “the guts” to face the Royal College of Nursing annual congress, while also tabling a vote of no confidence in his management of the NHS reforms.
Nurses must be managed by nurses, congress told
Nursing directors should have sole responsibility for line managing nurses, the Royal College of Nursing has voted.
Confusion over Tory job guarantee for nurses
The Conservatives have suggested that every newly qualified nurse could be guaranteed a year’s employment if their party is elected this week.
RCN considers 0% alcohol limit for driving
The Royal College of Nursing council will consider whether to adopt a 0% alcohol limit for driving.
Cameron's absence 'not a slur on nurses'
David Cameron is the only main party leader not to address delegates at this year’s Royal College of Nursing Congress, ahead of the general election.
Nurses will be at the heart of NHS reforms, Nick Clegg vows
Nurses will be “right at the heart” of delivering reformed services under the Liberal Democrats, party leader Nick Clegg has promised.
Medical dramas raise patient expectations and increase litigation risk
Medical dramas like Holby City increase the risk of litigation by raising patient expectations to unreachable levels, the Royal College of Nursing’s Congress heard.
Idea to dock pay during sick leave proves unpopular
A discussion of docking pay for the first five days of sick-leave got an largely unfavourable reception from the Congress.
Nurses vote to challenge perception of 'gold-plated' pension
Delegates at RCN Congress voted overwhelmingly yesterday to challenge the media over the term “gold-plated” pensions.
Foundation trusts failing to listen to staff, warns RCN
Foundation trusts are operating a “closed door” culture that excludes staff and patients from important decisions, Royal College of Nursing research warns.
Be realistic about pay, RCN head tells nurses
The head of the Royal College of Nursing has said nurses must be “realistic” about salary rises in the near future.
Specialist nurses save NHS £100m a year
Specialist nurses save millions of pounds a year by reducing emergency admissions and readmissions to hospital, RCN research has shown.
Prescribe heroin on NHS, says Peter Carter
Heroin should be prescribed on the NHS, according to Royal College of Nursing chief executive and general secretary Peter Carter.
Brown pledges support for specialist nurses at RCN Congress
Prime minster Gordon Brown has promised a bigger role for specialist nurses if Labour continue in government after the general election.
Michael Parkinson speaks out on Haywood case
Sir Michael Parkinson, the government’s dignity ambassador, has said that Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust was probably right to sack Margaret Haywood.
Ann Keen visits primary school children at RCN Congress
Ann Keen took time out at RCN Congress in Harrogate last week to talk to school children about the range of opportunities a career in nursing can provide.
'Knife crackdown could deter victims seeking treatment', warn nurses
Nurses have warned of the dangers of sharing information about knife crime with the police at the RCN Congress.
'My focus on safety cost me a job' claim
A nurse has told RCN Congress how he was refused a job at Mid-Staffordshire hospital trust because of the trust’s obsession with saving money.
Nurses need guidance on discussing assisted suicide with patients
Nurses at the RCN Congress have called for more support in the event they are asked by patients to assist them committing suicide
Parkinson hits out at youth obsession
Older people are being neglected by society, Sir Michael Parkinson told delegates at the RCN Congress.
Call to ensure retention of nursing staff
The RCN Council must lobby governments to ensure that the retention of nursing staff matches service needs, nurses have said.
RCN votes to fight ward staffing shortages
The RCN will lobby to ensure there is adequate staffing on wards following a motion passed at RCN Congress.
HPV vaccination plan under two-pronged attack, warns RCN
The government’s HPV vaccination programme for girls under 16 is being put at risk by a school nurse shortage and because schools are opting out, nurses have said.
RCN motion calls for new legislation for sex workers
Nurses have called for new legislation for sex workers in a motion passed at RCN Congress today.
Plans to limit RCN members to one forum put on hold
Plans to limit RCN members to joining just one professional forum have been put on hold, delegates at RCN Congress heard this week.
Call to review care of homeless people and travellers
The RCN Council must lobby agencies to review access to health and social care for socially excluded groups such as travelling communities and homeless people, nurses have said.
