RCN South West

12/06/2026

Make a difference where you work 💙
Our job evaluation rep drop-ins are your chance to learn more about this new RCN role, ask questions, and take your first step.
👉 Find a session that suits you from a wide range of dates:

Join us to find out about the amazing work of RCN representatives and how we can help you to become a rep.

11/06/2026

Greater Bristol members, fancy attending Bristol Pride on Saturday 11 July at no cost this year? The first 15 members to get in touch with your branch chair and ask will receive free wristbands, allowing free shuttle bus travel to and from the Downs, free travel on First Bus (Bristol Zone) all day, free entry to the Downs, discounted food and drinks, £1 off Bristol ferry boats, and entry into a prize draw. And even if you miss the complimentary wristbands, you're still welcome to join in the fun. There will be plenty of colourful RCN 'Pride in Nursing' merch giveaways, and of course enjoyable company.
Find out more:

RCN Greater Bristol branch event Bristol Pride 2026

08/06/2026

Read the latest blog from Matthew Stewart, RCN Accredited Steward, RCN Gloucestershire Branch Chair, UK Stewards Committee member representing the South West. Matthew is a Critical Care Staff Nurse at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently seconded to Staff Side Chair.

Here he updates on his RCN activity https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/a-lot-done-but-more-to-do

02/06/2026

Ahead of Men's Health Week, we're holding an online learning event for nursing staff on 10 June on the health issues that particularly affect men.

With a great line-up of speakers, it's an opportunity to develop your knowledge and practice if you provide care to men.

Book your place now ➡️ https://bit.ly/48MM3ig

27/05/2026

James Osben attended RCN Congress for the first time as a voting member.

Read about his experience in Liverpool here

https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/working-against-injustice

27/05/2026

Attending RCN Congress for the first time and as a voting member can be an extremely daunting prospect and yet each year many do exactly this.

Here South West member Tolulope Oladimeji talks about her experience in Liverpool, RCN Congress 2026.

https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/i-summoned-the-courage-and-did-it-anyway

21/05/2026

There aren't enough words to express how proud we are of the representation nursing in the South West has had from our delegation in Liverpool this week.

Your voting members have been present and engaged through every debated item at RCN Congress and they have repeatedly spoken out with professionalism, expertise, passion and compassion.

We highly recommend listening back to debates which you can access on this page. Today's debate will be added by the end of the week. You can access recordings by clicking into the debate title and going to the bottom of the page.

RCN Congress has been expertly chaired by South West member Linda Bailey who is a member of our Dorset branch who closed Congress this afternoon. We wish our members a very safe journey home. Thank you all so much.

https://www.rcn.org.uk/Congress/Agenda

20/05/2026

Day three of debates at RCN Congress and our South West reps continue to represent you on the range of topics, braving the stage to speak with passion and eloquence on important issues affecting nursing today. List of today's debates in the photos plus a really important emergency resolution.

We highly recommend listening back to debates and also today's keynote speakers, Mozhdeh Ghasemiyani and Dr Pamela F Cipriano - From trauma to resilience – the developmental impact of educating girls.

Watch live, watch later, check out the agenda and much more on our Congress web pages https://www.rcn.org.uk/congress/

20/05/2026

RCN Plymouth branch brought the issue of NMC fees to RCN Congress this week. The item was presented by Plymouth branch Chair, Stuart Quarterman.

"I ask Council to send a strong and unified message that the proposals are unacceptable," he said. The motion was carried by members.

Nurses have voted to challenge the planned increase to the NMC registration fee, which will see nursing regulator's income boosted by £20 million a year.

https://rcni.com/nursing-standard/newsroom/news/nurses-vote-to-challenge-soul-destroying-nmc-fee-increase-222651

20/05/2026

Around half a million children and young people in England have turned to emergency departments for support since 2019