The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has committed to creating a more tailored membership offer to support colleagues working in the independent health and social care sector, as part of a transformational new strategy.
Having been highlighted as one of the organisation’s key priorities by the RCN Council, the new strategy seeks to outline the ways in which the college can best serve the needs of these particular members.
Moving forward, the RCN is intending to reach out and work more closely with members from a diverse range of health and social care settings.
It sees this as a way to ensure the RCN can continue to be the authoritative voice of nursing wherever its members may work.
The strategy includes a focus on improving pay, terms and working conditions, as well as bolstering the RCN’s influencing power to address challenges faced by those working in social care.
It also outlines plans to encourage more members working in the independent health and social care sector to stand for election to key RCN governance roles, increasing the voice members in the sector have to address challenges they face.
The strategy features both short and long-term goals for the RCN, including the development of an app for members and the commissioning of research to better understand their needs.
Jeremy Benton, Chair of the RCN Council and the finish group overseeing this strategy, said: “Listening to members, we have developed a transformational plan that will begin a journey of change and this change has already started. Work is already underway, and we have been seeking to respond to our members needs and concerns throughout the pandemic.
“We have influenced government policy and actions in response to the Covid-19 crisis and we will build on this work as we move forward.
“Over the past year we have delivered tailored seminars and webinars and have created a support network for those working in care homes. In the future, there will be even more opportunities for members to engage.
“Work has also begun on developing a pay, terms and conditions strategy and members will hear more about this in early 2021.”
