RCN Congress: Live blog

So that's it for another year...

15 May, 2009 Posted by:

Debates have been lively and well-informed and the electronic voting system didn’t break.

This year, nurses really made sure their voices were heard, something that my colleagues on the national papers appreciated.

Even more appreciated was the fantastic retirement cake prepared for John Carvel, who is retiring as the social affairs correspondent on the Guardian this week.

Mr Carvel was presented with the cake during his ‘What The Papers Say’ news review, which has been a regular event at Congress for years.

Shaped like a copy of the Guardian, Mr Carvel was admiring it all afternoon and told me he was going to save it for his official retirement party next week.

Stand up comedy at RCN Congress

13 May, 2009 Posted by:

Kicking off with a song about her teenage love life, Ms McCreadie went on to talk about such taboo subjects as fat nurses and the perils of moving and handling bariatric patients.

Organised by the RCN’s Lothian branch, the evening had a decidedly Celtic feel and as such was not complete without some references to the Scottish obsession with ‘fitba’.

‘Wouldn’t it be great if wards were like football matches, with all the patients shouting “who’s the w***er in the white?’ and “you don’t know what you’re doing”” said Ms McCreadie.

I am not so sure nurses would really like this, but it certainly brought the house down at the Old Swan.

Debating and voting at RCN Congress

13 May, 2009 Posted by:

And this year was no exception. Trying to change the voting rules at Congress was always going to be difficult, but it seems a little disappointing that proposed changes put forward today were not approved by delegates.

There were points of order, there was heckling from the floor - a lot of hot air was generated.

But that was all. The RCN is now no nearer to changing its rather incongruous congress voting arrangements.

Let’s just hope the voting maching doesn’t break again this time.

Brown and Cameron woo nurses

11 May, 2009 Posted by:

Gordon Brown’s surprise visit to RCN Congress certainly won some hearts here at Harrogate.

Rumours were buzzing through the Harrogate International Conference Centre before his appearance.

When he finally arrived, 10 minutes late, the audience warmed to his tales about his experience of the NHS and in particular the death of his baby daughter, which he obliquely referred to.

But would Mr Brown have turned up if Conservative leader David Cameron was not due to appear an hour later?

After Mr Brown’s usual thundering delivery, the lighter and more personable approach taken by David Cameron was also effective.

He even made the audience laugh with his ‘alphabetti spaghetti’ comments.

And he was brave enough to face unscripted questions from nurses, something Mr Brown did not do.

But what this all boils down to is politics. Mr Brown is fighting for his political life and Mr Cameron is fighting to win the next election.

There were some fine words spoken to day by both men. Nurses will now expect them to backed by some fine deeds.

Gordon Brown makes a guest appearance

11 May, 2009 Posted by:

The opening welcome to this year’s RCN Congress got off to a surprising start with the arrival of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. After warming up the crowd with Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’, Mr Brown, accompanied by his wife Sarah, was introduced to rapturous applause and a standing ovation.

His speech was a personal one and he drew on his own experiences of the NHS, both as a child and during the loss of his daughter.

The reception throughout the speech was excellent, and Mr Brown even walked out into the crowd to shake hands with members. Shame I missed him walking right past me, too busy tweeting!

I wasn’t able to blog while in there but I was updating via twitter (these are in reverse order):

@davedawes: #rcncongress GB even did a walk in the crowd - very smart political move. Well that makes a change from usual Mon start
Gordon Brown gets a standing ovation #rcncongress
GB ” to be here is a privelege, we don’t recognise nursing enough. Thank you for everything you do” #rcncongress
Final Q: “what is your govs most significant achievement for nurses?” #rcncongress
More questions: hospice care and mixed sex wards #rcncongress
#rcncongress GB “Mid staffs is a grim reminder not to take our eyes off the primary function of NHS”
@davedawes: #rcncongress Assurances on pensions. Whistleblowing response very weak :(
Questions from the floor “how will you ensure whistleblowers are protected? Is my pension safe? How will we manage with reduced funding?”
GB “nurses lead the way for care. We owe you a debt of gratitude. I am determined we invest in nursing for the future” #rcncongress
Gordon Brown praises Cicely Saunders, “courage she showed pushed a change for the dying” #rcncongress
Gordon Brown “nurses are the best people to tackle infection. Prevention, cure and dignity are important” #rcncongress
@ladydawnie I like Gordan Browns comment.. nurses work with their hands, heads & heart all at once. He’s not wrong Thanks Gordon
Gordon Brown “need to provide care for elderly and disabled. We must support carers” #rcncongress
Gordon Brown “the recession is no excuse for not investing in nurses pay and the NHS” #rcncongress
Gordon Brown apologises for the expenses scandal stories #rcncongress
@davedawes: #rcncongress GB doing a good job with no notes or autocue - very David Cameron ;) “you judge a country by it’s compassion”
Gordon Brown “nurses work with hands, head and heart all at once” #rcncongress
Gordon Brown “nurses make the difference between despair and hope” #rcncongress
Gordon Brown and Sarah Brown arrive! #rcncongress