TALKING ABOUT TRAUMA - Royal College of ...
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COVID-19 AND RISK ASSESSMENTS P9
UNITING FOR EQUALITY P10
GET ORGANISED P18
LIBRARY IN YOUR LIVING ROOM P22
FOR RCN ACTIVE MEMBERS ACROSS THE UK SPRING 2021
TALKING
ABOUT TRAUMA
FRASER’S HELPING MEMBERS WORKING IN CARE HOMES
MANAGE EXPERIENCES OF TRAUMA DURING THE PANDEMIC
E XC LUS IV E
R C N me mbe r di s c oun t s
£195
CAR INSUR ANCE
from
10% of new RCN Car Insurance customers paid
£195 or less Aug ‘20 to Jan ‘21.
0800 756 8126
£100
HOME INSUR ANCE
from
10% of new RCN Home Insurance customers
paid £100 or less Aug ‘20 to Jan ‘21.
0800 756 8312
For your member discount go to
LV.c om/R C N
The Royal College of Nursing acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative to the Liverpool Victoria group of companies for General Insurance.
Lines open: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat and Bank Holidays 9am-5pm and Sun 10am-4pm. For Text Phone: first dial 18001. Calls will be recorded 31967-2020
Make sure your details are up to date, especially
WELCOME
your employer and workplace, so we can contact
you about our Fair Pay For Nursing campaign in
future: rcn.org.uk/MyRCN
3
determined to be ready should members wish
to take action.
Members in Scotland are currently being
consulted on a pay offer from government –
one that the RCN does not think is anything
like good enough. It’s important that
members have their say on this (see page 5).
We’re at the first stage of developing our own
“organising model” to engage, educate and
One full year into the pandemic and we are empower members to be a force for change in
all reflecting on what’s changed and what their workplaces and we’re inviting members
hasn’t. The greatest changes to our working to sign up for expert training now (see page
and personal lives scarcely need listing. The 18). Paying nursing staff fairly is a political
biggest changes to the RCN, you can find choice. We’ve demonstrated what a 12.5%
out more about in this issue. But what hasn’t increase would mean to our members and
changed yet? The views of politicians on how how affordable it is (see page 17). With
to treat, reward, pay and respect our members. today’s workforce crisis, their plan is a false
economy that drives even more people out
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, members the door. Politicians across the UK should
across the UK have demonstrated what a know that we will continue campaigning for
highly-skilled and dedicated profession fair pay for nursing staff across all health
nursing is. The public has seen the true and and care settings. Nursing must be valued.
very tangible value of nursing and that’s
why they are standing with us more than You, our most active members, know the power
ever before. When the government in of collective action. Members are angry. But
Westminster signalled a 1% pay award for for the first time, as your union, we are saying
NHS staff in England, you were outraged “Don’t get angry – get organised.” Turn to
and your elected Council acted quickly to page 18 to find out more.
condemn this plan and to back up our words
with a £35 million industrial action fund - Dave Dawes
the largest of any UK trade union. We are RCN Chair of Council
Contents
Editor: Zara Davies
Production: Mark Kalaher
Mental health and wellbeing............................ 6-8
Design: Debbie Roberts
Ask an adviser........................................................... 9
Published by: Royal College of Nursing
Uniting for equality........................................... 10-11
20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN
Glove Awareness Week................................... 12-13
W: rcn.org.uk/activate
Making a difference......................................... 14-15
E: activate@rcn.org.uk
Legal update.............................................................16
Publication code: 009 715
Pay update.................................................................17
Cover image: Greg Macvean
Get organised..................................................... 18-19
Don’t forget, this is your magazine. If you’ve Protect the future of nursing........................ 20-21
got a story to share, tell us at the email above.
Library in your living room............................ 22-23
4 UPDATE
Nurses’ Day Candidates for RCN President
election announced
Join us for
NURSES’ The following candidates
have been confirmed as
DAY standing for election to
become RCN President:
• Dr Denise Chaffer
Join us and get involved in • Professor Rod Thomson
Nurses’ Day on 12 May. FRCN
• Maria Trewern
To find out more, and
download or order materials, Voting via a postal ballot safe staffing and improved
visit rcn.org.uk/nursesday opens on 13 May and closes pay while supporting
on 14 June. The successful members throughout the
Our Nurses’ Day materials candidate will be announced pandemic, this role is more
are sponsored by LV=. on 15 June and take up their important than ever.
post on 1 July with their term
of office ending on 31 “I would urge you to vote for
December 2022. who you think will best fulfil
Get CMS ready this role when the ballot
RCN Chair of Council Dave opens in May.”
All RCN stewards should Dawes said: “RCN Presidents
have received their new RCN are ambassadors not just for To find out more information
email account (@rcn.reps. the RCN but for the whole about each candidate and
org.uk) by the end of April. nursing profession both in our online hustings event
the UK and around the world. on 13 May, visit rcn.org.uk/
If you haven’t already done As we continue to push for current-elections
so, you’ll need to set up your
account now so you’re ready
when we roll out training for
our new case management New podcast unpacks
system (CMS), which is
coming later this year.
professional issues
Have you listened to the
If you need support, our IT RCN Professional Nursing
team can help. Details can Committee’s new podcast
be found in the email you’ve yet? Nursing Matters
received to tell you your new unpacks nursing news,
account is ready. explores professional issues,
and introduces members
To find out about the benefits who are at the forefront of
our new CMS will bring and developing nursing practice
watch a short video demo, and the profession. Listen at rcn.org.uk/nursingmatters
visit tinyurl.com/rcn-cms
5
NHS pay in Scotland: have your say
The Scottish government has made a one-
year pay offer to NHS Scotland Agenda for
Change staff following negotiations with
the RCN and other health trade unions, and
NHS employers. Members on NHS Scotland
Agenda for Change terms and conditions
are being asked to vote to accept or reject
the offer in a consultation running from 16
April to 5 May.The RCN is recommending that
members reject the offer.
RCN Scotland Board Chair Julie Lamberth
said: “Governments across the UK need to safety and compensates for the failure of
demonstrate that nursing staff are valued. salaries to keep up with the cost of living over
That’s why we are campaigning for 12.5%. the last 10 years. We are recommending our
It’s important that all members working in the members reject this offer.”
NHS have their say on this offer. We believe
the nursing profession deserves fair pay As Activate went to press, the RCN was
that recognises our contribution, supports preparing to open the consultation. Visit
retention and recruitment to ensure patient rcn.org.uk/fairpay-scotland
Vote now in this year’s AGM
Members will vote on whether the RCN If you can’t attend the AGM, you can vote
should rejoin the International Council in advance. Members will have received an
of Nurses at our Annual General Meeting email with details from
(AGM) on 14 May rcnagm@cesvotes.com
In 2013, RCN members voted to discontinue The AGM is also an opportunity to ask
the RCN’s membership of the International questions about the performance and
Council of Nurses. This resolution, which running of the RCN and raise matters of a
requires a simple majority to pass, will be professional interest.
discussed at the meeting, which will take
place online for the second year running. The AGM will be held online from 11am on
Friday 14 May. Members will be sent an
Members will also be asked to agree email from rcnagm@cesvotes.com with
how to reinstate the cycle of half of RCN a link to join on 13 May. Questions can be
Council being elected every two years emailed before the meeting to
at the Council elections due to be held governance.support@rcn.org.uk or asked
in 2023, and to make a minor change at the meeting itself.
to terminology in the Standing Orders
relating to unfit conduct. Find out more at rcn.org.uk/agm21
6 VITAL SUPPORT
Talking about trauma
RCN learning rep Fraser Smith is helping members working in care
homes manage experiences of trauma throughout the pandemic
A year on since UK care
homes first locked down due READ
to COVID-19, Caring Homes MORE
regulatory compliance ONLINE
training manager and RCN rcn.org.uk/
activate
learning rep Fraser decided
to do something to offer
extra support to members
who were feeling the
emotional impact of working
during the pandemic.
“It’s been very difficult,” says
Fraser, who is the training
lead for all 70 Caring Homes
locations across the UK.
“Many colleagues were off
sick when we first went into
lockdown. We had to try
and put in support for them,
so it has had an impact on Fraser
everyone and many staff
members have struggled to cover for colleagues who in managing symptoms
at some point over the were shielding.” of trauma on top of the
past year.” resources already available
Many employees were also through my employer.”
Like family isolating from their own
families during the height of Raising awareness
Fraser says that for care the pandemic, often working
home staff, those they longer hours covering for In his role as an RCN learning
care for become like colleagues or just not rep, Fraser has regular
family members and many wanting to leave a resident catch-ups with RCN national
residents have lived in the who was unwell. officer Irene Murray who put
homes for several years. him in touch with the RCN
Fraser says: “Speaking to Counselling Service.
“During lockdown, some of various care home managers
the homes had a number of about the impact on staff, Fraser worked with his own
deaths,” says Fraser. “And I wanted to look at how organisation and the RCN
in many places, staff had we could offer support to arrange a short online
7
webinar around the theme of develop PTSD after a traumatic
trauma, including looking at event. PTSD is a diagnostic term
reactions to trauma and the used if trauma symptoms haven’t
difference between experiencing subsided over time and cause
We wanted to
symptoms of trauma and a considerable distress and issues
raise awareness
diagnosis of post-traumatic stress in someone’s life. Only a qualified
about the
disorder (PTSD). professional can diagnose this.
things staff
might be
“We wanted to raise awareness “If after a month someone’s
experiencing
of the different things staff might trauma symptoms haven’t
be experiencing and the support decreased or have become worse,
available,” says Fraser. they should seek support from
their GP.”
He organised posters to be sent to
all the homes, advertised the Find out more about the RCN
Words by Susan
hour-long session on staff Counselling Service at Embley. Picture
noticeboards and the presentation rcn.org.uk/counselling by Greg Macvean
was shared with all employees, not
just RCN members.
What is trauma?
“Many colleagues told me the
session was helpful,” adds Fraser. People can experience psychological trauma
“It was great working with the following an event that is unexpected, outside their
RCN Counselling Service. Now I usual range of human experience, or involves some
feel that we have that connection form of loss, injury or threat of injury/death (whether
to do more collaborative work in actual or perceived).
the future.”
Experiencing trauma can sometimes result in
Getting support emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms, such
as feeling overwhelmed or experiencing increased
RCN counselling clinical and anxiety and stress.
operational lead Tanja Koch
says: “It’s not a sign of weakness Advice for coping
to struggle with traumatic
experiences – it’s a normal • Acknowledge what you have been through.
reaction to an abnormal situation. • Speak to someone you trust, such as a family
member, friend or your line manager and if you
“We’ve recently expanded the need to, seek support from your GP or the RCN
RCN’s counselling offer to include Counselling Service.
trauma-focused therapy, funded • Be gentle and kind to yourself.
by the COVID-19 Healthcare • Increase your level of self-care – start with the
Support Appeal until January basics like nutrition, sleep, rest, exercise.
2022. RCN reps can play an • Try to keep to a routine.
important role in signposting • Do things you enjoy, such as listening to music
members to these services.” or cooking.
• Try to limit your exposure to things and people
Tanja adds: “It’s important to that cause you more stress and anxiety.
remember that most people don’t
8 OPINION
‘We’re not invincible’
Reflecting on some of the challenges RCN reps are facing during the
pandemic, Vicky Brotherton says it’s important for reps to work together
and be mindful of their own wellbeing
Not being able to hold you’re feeling and to raise
face-to-face meetings with any concerns. They’re there
members has been tough for to support reps in the way we
reps. When you’re in the room, would support any member.
it’s easier to judge someone’s
body language and give that We also need to remember
extra support that members that the support available
sometimes need. through the RCN and
employers is there to
I think reps are struggling support us too. Don’t put a
more with their workloads shield around yourself and
now too and I’m concerned say: “I’m a rep, I can cope”. Vicky
that could continue as It’s OK not to be OK or to
members who’ve been need some support. As reps, advice on self-care. I’ve
shielding start to come back we’re not invincible and we found a regular, more social
into the workplace. This is have feelings and needs that catch-up with fellow reps
one of the reasons why it’s we must consider too. from across my region to be
so important for reps to a good de-stressor. We meet
work together. Time to talk online during an evening or
weekend to have a chat and
As the lead steward in my Our region has been holding hear what’s going on across
trust, I ensure all our reps regular Time to Talk events the region.
get together regularly to so members can share their
talk about how many cases experiences in a safe space. Vicky is lead steward at
we have and current issues. We’ve been holding similar her trust, a safety rep and
We work out if someone has events at a branch level and RCN Plymouth branch chair
too much work or could do I pulled together a quick
with support, and we make presentation for members
sure our local RCN officer is and reps with information Supporting you
informed too. about RCN services and For information about
other sources of support. It’s RCN Member Support
Don’t be afraid useful to remind ourselves Services and resources
of what’s available. to help you look after
If you don’t have a team of your wellbeing during
reps, it’s important to talk to The RCN website also the COVID-19 pandemic,
your local RCN officer about has lots of resources to visit rcn.org.uk/covid-
your caseload or work. Don’t support wellbeing, such wellbeing
be afraid to talk about how as mindfulness videos and
ASK AN ADVISER 9
COVID-19: risk assessments
All employers should follow their duties under health and safety
legislation and carry out individual risk assessments where required
When should an individual assess the risk of harm to long periods. We’ve also
risk assessment be new and expectant mothers. produced a letter template for
carried out? This includes exposure to members to request a home
COVID-19, but also other risks working risk assessment.
Outside of the shielding such as chemical exposure,
group, which includes people radiation and violence. What should members
who are extremely clinically do if they’re concerned
vulnerable, other factors What should members about the results of a
that can increase the risk of do if they need a risk risk assessment?
contracting or developing assessment but haven’t
more severe complications had one? Members should escalate
from exposure to COVID-19 their concerns to their
include: We’ve produced a set of letter occupational health service,
templates to help members their local RCN rep or
• if you’re aged 60 or above request an individual risk contact the RCN advice
• if you’re from a black, assessment. If members feel team on 0345 772 6100.
Asian or minority ethnic anxious about their risk but They should also do this if
background don’t have one of the increased a risk assessment hasn’t
• if you have a lung risk factors listed here, they been completed after it’s
condition, heart disease, can still use a letter template been requested. If a member
type 1 or type 2 diabetes, to request a risk assessment. is pregnant, their midwife
chronic kidney disease, or GP may also be able to
liver disease, a condition Should members working offer support.
affecting the brain or at home have a risk
nerves or a condition that assessment?
means you have a high More information
risk of getting infections Yes. If an individual or Find our letter
• if you take medicine that pregnancy risk assessment templates and full
can affect the immune has indicated that a member advice guide at
system should be working from home, rcn.org.uk/covid-risk-
• if you have a body mass or if a member is shielding assessments
index (BMI) of 40 or above. and able to work from home,
their employer has a duty to Here you can also listen
Members with one or more carry out a risk assessment of to a short podcast on
of the characteristics listed home working. the subject with RCN
here may be more at risk and safety rep Mitzi Wilson
should ask for an individual This should include and RCN National
risk assessment. Employers addressing any risks from Officer Kim Sunley.
are also legally required to working on a computer for
10 EQUALITY AT WORK
‘The pandemic has united us’
RCN stewards Bev and Olga are co-chairs of their Birmingham trust’s
BAME staff network. They explain how they’re making sure recent
conversations about racism and equality lead to positive change
It’s really
important to
create a positive
environment for
staff to work in
READ
Bev and Olga MORE
ONLINE
rcn.org.uk/
With research showing people equality, equity and diversity,” activate
from black, Asian and minority says Bev. “It doesn’t matter
ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are at what someone’s background is,
higher risk from COVID-19, BAME or whatever kind of protected
staff networks have offered characteristic they have,
crucial support to nursing staff we need to be kind and fair to staff.”
during the pandemic.
Olga, who is also vice chair of
Matron Bev Baker and endoscopic the region’s NHS Workforce
nurse Olga Leach-Walters are Race Equality Standard (WRES)
co-chairs of their trust’s BAME group, says: “I’m very passionate
staff network, where they support about the RCN, because that’s
approximately 8,000 colleagues where I found my voice. Similarly,
from BAME backgrounds. the network offers our staff a
place to be heard and a place of
A place to be heard safety. Educating, listening and
challenging issues as a group is
Words by
“My role as an RCN steward less daunting than doing it as an Becky Gilroy.
correlates with the work that I’m individual. This is not a one-man Picture by
doing with the network and on band, and no-one is alone.” Steve Baker11
Making progress with senior management black leaders to come
about race, equality and the forward,” she says.
The network organises most pressing issues for
monthly meetings which BAME staff. Olga adds that education
are now virtual, allowing and building back trust in
more people to attend to “Before, people didn’t want public institutions is key, as
voice their concerns on to rock the boat,” Bev says. well as leading by example.
issues such as speaking “The Black Lives Matter
up, career progression and protests were a huge wakeup Looking to the future
staff wellbeing. call for black people. We
know racism is happening. While there is more work
“The pandemic has united It’s staring you right in the to be done to eradicate
us,” says Bev. “Once upon face, but it’s taboo to speak inequality, both Olga and
a time, there would be five about it. We’ve broken that Bev feel proud of their
or six people coming to sit taboo now.” achievements. Bev says:
in the meeting room. But “It’s really important for me,
during COVID-19, we held two Vaccine hesitancy as a manager, to be a role
wellbeing webinars which model and create a positive
over 500 people attended Recent surveys are now environment for staff to
over the two sessions.” showing there is a high work in.”
rate of vaccine hesitancy in
Bev and Olga also have BAME communities, and Bev Reflecting on her various
bi-monthly meetings with and Olga feel that they are roles in which she supports
the trust’s chief executive well-placed in their network colleagues, Olga says:
officer and have helped set and RCN roles to tackle “Without the RCN, I could
up a fairness taskforce and misinformation. never have achieved this
reciprocal mentoring, where much with the BAME
individuals in protected They both took part in network, because their
characteristic groups work promotional videos for their aims overlap. My role in the
alongside senior leaders. trust, and Bev shared her trust helps me with my RCN
experience of contracting steward role in turn.”
Time to speak up COVID-19 and encouraged
people to get vaccinated.
The events of last summer, “We’re doing a lot of work in
when thousands of the community and trying to More information
protestors took to the promote vaccination, as well Our advice guide on
streets following the death as eradicate some of the vaccination has links to
of George Floyd, a black myths that are out there,” some useful resources
man killed by police officers adds Bev. that promote and
in the US, sparked a wider encourage COVID-19
discussion among network When Olga had her vaccination, including
members. “People felt vaccine, she made sure to University Hospitals
that this was the time to communicate her experience Birmingham NHS
come and talk about their with her community by Foundation Trust’s
experiences,” says Olga. giving interviews to the videos featuring Bev and
media. “I felt that when Olga. Visit rcn.org.uk/
Bev and Olga encouraged all the mistrust was being vaccination-faqs
and facilitated conversations spoken about, we neededT Y
OU LA IN E
U LL ISP ER AC
P D ST PL
Signs of work-relat
D O K
AN IS P OR
W
TH U R
YO
Make
one
change…
• Do you know the signs of dermatitis of the hands? Look out for
dryness, itching and redness which can lead to cracking,
blistering, flaky and scaly skin.
• At the end of each work period, protect your hands by regularly
applying hand moisturising creams (containing emollients)
after handwashing. Always wet hands ahead of applying soap,
as this is a common problem with drying of nurses’ skin.
Ensure that you rinse and dry thoroughly. Follow established
procedures for hand washing.
• 93% of nursing staff who responded to our 2019 skin health
survey said that they had experienced some kind of skin
condition, including cracking, scaling and pain in the last
12 months.
Glove Awareness Week 3-7 May 2021ted dermatitis • Under health and safety law, your employer should have a programme of skin checks in place for nursing staff exposed to the risk of work-related dermatitis. • Report any problems to your manager or occupational health provider as soon as they arise. Who to speak to about work-related skin problems: #GAW2021 rcn.org.uk/glove-aware
14 MAKING A DIFFERENCE
‘Be unignorable’
RCN steward and Wales representative on the RCN Nursing Support
Workers Committee Alison James-Herbert is making sure members
have access to appropriate PPE now and in the future
I’m not
frightened
to speak out
READ
MORE
ONLINE
rcn.org.uk/
activate
Alison
The fact that I happen to be a whole day. We had just one box of
nursing support worker doesn’t single-use masks for the whole
make any difference to how ward and we didn’t know when Along with safety
rep Wendy Barwick
good I am as a steward. You just more would be available. and learning rep
need to be willing to speak up for Lucy Flatman, Alison
members and I’m determined to Ward managers were doing was presented with a
be “unignorable”. everything they could to protect commendation from
the High Sheriff of
their staff, but no-one was Newport,
In March 2020, when the listening. I knew this wasn’t recognising her
pandemic first hit, people just good enough. essential work
didn’t know what to do and how during the pandemic.
to react. It seems like such a long This all took place while we were Read our PPE advice
time ago now. In my workplace, nursing confused patients who guide at rcn.org.uk/
covid-19-ppe
which is a community hospital, were terrified that they were
we were initially given masks but going to die. My patients are living Picture of Alison
were told that one had to last the with dementia and at this point by Stuart Fisher15
visitors were still allowed so My letter was polite, but We can’t leave this too late.
they were being told what my message was one that There are policies in place,
was going on outside. could not be ignored. I’m not but the cooler uniforms
frightened to speak out. don’t currently exist. There’s
A time for action very little ventilation in my
The starkness of my message workplace and working
The pressure was immense, ensured that action was in standard uniforms with
and I admit I was scared too. taken and, not before time, PPE will be unbearable
But this was a time for action. staff were given appropriate as temperatures rise. I’m
I wrote to the lead nurse for personal protective working closely with our
our division and told her that equipment (PPE). I’m now local safety rep to insist
without proper protection, looking at what uniforms we we take practical steps to
we were being treated “like will need to wear while in PPE ensure we have the cooler
lambs to the slaughter”. in the summer. uniforms we need.
RCN steward Maive Coley has Maive
represented members at all levels
and wants to see more nursing
support workers becoming reps
As a member of the RCN Nursing Support
Workers Committee (East Midlands), I bring
workplace issues facing nursing support
workers to the attention of the committee,
including how we are perceived by others.
Things are getting better, but there’s still
much to do and change, like when someone
says: “You’re only a HCA, what do you
know?” We are trained and skilled in our
areas and we are not “only”. We are crucial
to supporting health and social care.
that all RCN reps have the same learning
In my role as a steward, I recently and development, whatever their role, so
represented a band 8 ward manager who it’s important for us to spread the message
felt she was working at a level above her that reps who happen to be nursing
grade. I set up a meeting with her and her support workers can support nursing staff
manager, liaised with HR and thankfully at all grades.
the issue was resolved by meaningful
conversation with the member’s manager I tell other nursing support workers to give
– with a missing appraisal document being it a go – to have confidence in themselves
cited as the reason that her work had not and remember the brilliant training they’ll
been recognised. get at the RCN. It’s important to look at
what people can do, not what they can’t.
Please encourage nursing support workers
in your workplace to consider becoming Members can sign up to become a rep at
reps. Some members don’t even realise rcn.org.uk/become-a-rep16 LEGAL UPDATE
A victory for workers’ rights
RCN Head of Legal (Employment) Joanne Galbraith-Marten says a
landmark Supreme Court decision will make it easier to establish
individuals as “workers” and therefore entitled to basic employment rights
In the long-running matter However, the drivers reference to the terms of
of Uber BV and others asserted that in reality they any contract or agreement
vs Aslam and others, the worked for Uber and were they have entered into, but
claimants were Uber drivers subject to a significant instead by asking whether it
and brought Employment degree of control and was Parliament’s intention
Tribunal claims in respect performance management that they should fall within
of Uber’s failure to pay the procedures like those which the scope of statutory
national minimum wage and would apply to workers. employment protection.
for annual leave.
They had little, if any, The court recognised that
In order to pursue those opportunity to develop a the purpose of employment
claims, the drivers had to first business as they couldn’t legislation is to protect
establish they were workers contact passengers vulnerable workers and
for the purposes of the directly and, at the time of it would undermine that
Employment Rights Act 1996, the original hearing, they purpose if employers were
the National Minimum Wage weren’t even told the trip able to draft contracts that
Act 1998 and the Working destination until they had had the effect of preventing
Time Regulations 1998. The accepted the “trip request”. individuals from enforcing
definition of a worker in this They also had to provide their rights.
legislation is an individual who services themselves and
works under any contract, couldn’t use a “substitute”. The decision is very welcome
whereby they undertake to and will make it much easier
personally perform work or The decision to establish that individuals
services for the other party to are entitled to basic
the contract. In 2016, the Employment employment rights in future.
Tribunal found that the
Uber argued that any drivers were workers for the
contract for services was purposes of the relevant
between the driver and legislation and therefore
passengers, with Uber entitled to proceed with
merely acting as the drivers’ their claims.
agent. Uber relied on the
terms of agreement between Uber appealed but in a
itself and drivers, but also groundbreaking decision in
the agreement accepted by February 2021, the Supreme
passengers which expressly Court held unanimously that
states that Uber is only whether an individual is a
Joanne Galbraith-Marten
acting as an agent. worker is not determined byPAY UPDATE 17
Fair Pay For Nursing
We’re asking members to do three simple things as part of our campaign
STAY STAY STAY
ACTIVE IN TOUCH ENGAGED
Download campaign posters Make sure your contact details Sign up to become an
and use our materials to talk are up to date, especially your e-campaigner – you’ll receive
about the importance of employer and workplace, so we updates and easy online actions
Fair Pay For Nursing in can contact you. you can take to support the
your workplace. campaign. Visit rcn.org.uk/
Visit rcn.org.uk/fairpay Visit rcn.org.uk/MyRCN become-an-e-campaigner
What’s happening with NHS pay?
The NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) has been ultimately taken. Since then, we’ve further
asked to make recommendations on what criticised the Prime Minister for being
pay rise NHS staff working in England, dangerously out of touch with nursing
Northern Ireland and Wales should receive staff and the public who firmly support our
for 2021-22. campaign. We’re also starting to develop
our own “organising model” and we’ve
In Scotland, the government isn’t using the introduced training to strengthen members’
PRB process and, as Activate went to press, ability to drive change (see page 18).
the RCN was preparing to consult members
who work in the NHS in Scotland on a one- Our Fair Pay For Nursing campaign is calling
year pay offer from the Scottish government. for a fully funded 12.5% pay increase for all
The RCN is recommending members reject nursing staff covered by Agenda for Change
the offer (see page 5). terms. We’ve submitted written and oral
evidence to the NHS PRB explaining why
In March, the Department of Health and Social nursing staff deserve this rise, its affordability,
Care submitted written evidence to the NHS and stressing the link between fair pay,
PRB in which it said it had assumed a headline recruitment, retention, and safe staffing.
pay award of 1% for NHS staff in England.
The money made available by Westminster Ministers have indicated they expect the
for the NHS in England has direct spending PRB to make its recommendations on NHS
implications for other nations. pay in England, Northern Ireland and Wales
in May 2021. Although the PRB makes
We condemned the 1% proposal for England recommendations, it is ministers in each
and rapidly set up a £35 million strike fund country who will decide what level of pay
to support workers if industrial action is rise to award.
Stay up to date on our Fair Pay For Nursing campaign and ways to get involved at rcn.org.uk/fairpay18 THE VOICE OF MEMBERS
‘Don’t get angry –
get organised’
We’re starting to build a new approach to engage, educate and empower
members to be a force for change in their workplaces and communities
Our collective power is that is 100% unique to the can achieve real change – in
greater than the sum of our character of our membership. our workplace, community
parts. With that power, we and society.
can influence locally and Organising is an approach
nationally to fight for what to making positive change The principle of organising is
nursing and our patients need. happen, where you identify members working together
the issues, come together to develop mutual support
Professional standards, pay, and bring about solutions on and build leadership skills so
staffing levels, employment your own terms. Successful they can work together across
rights, workplace safety or organising is achieved largely issues, workplaces, employers
any other issue we face – by supporting you to build and in communities.
together, we can make strong networks and invest in
real impact. your leadership capability. Every member has a role
to play in educating their
What’s happening? Is this just for existing fellow nursing staff and all
activists? members take responsibility
We are changing the way we as active members.
support members in their This is for every single
workplace. We are beginning to RCN member. When RCN For example, some members
create a new organising model members come together, we may want to become moreORGANISING ENGAGE.
EDUCATE. 19
FOR CHANGE EMPOWER.
GET INVOLVED
Training with world-renowned trade union educators will give you the
resources, confidence and ability to take action
Sign up for expert training from a global leader in workplace organising this summer.
We’re inviting members to attend a six-week programme with world-renowned trade union
educators to help them develop the resources, confidence and ability to take action.
Be part of this exciting journey. Sign up to attend the first programme by 3 May and look out
for more courses running later in the summer.
If you can’t sign up now, you can register for more information.
Visit rcn.org.uk/organising
active in our professional implement a unique through the industrial action
work, but don’t necessarily organising model that will they took in December 2019
see themselves taking on serve both the professional and January 2020.
traditional representative and trade union elements of
roles. These members could our membership. How is this different to
be engaged, excited and what we’re doing now?
supported by an approach Some members are self-
focused on advocacy, organised already. Some The RCN will continue to
collective action and parts of the RCN, including provide the support and
bringing about change for certain regions, have services that members
the benefit and improvement been testing elements of expect. The goal now is
of patient care. organising over the years. to give you more. More
Members in Northern Ireland resources, more skills and
Is this a new idea? showed incredible capacity more opportunities to act on
and passion for organising what matters to you.
Many different kinds of
organisations and groups do
different kinds of organising
work, and for different
reasons. Other health
unions, professional bodies
and community groups are
increasingly exploring this
way of working to more
intensively equip their
members to make change
happen, but it’s the first
time our elected members
have formally decided to
begin, design and eventually20 CAMPAIGNING
Protect the future of nursing
RCN Scotland Board Chair Julie Lamberth shares how members are
influencing politicians to ensure the next Scottish government values
nursing staff and safeguards the future of the profession
READ
MORE
ONLINE
rcn.org.uk/
activate
“The events of this last to commit to key actions to and effective care to patients
year have made it clear that tackle these issues. in all health and care settings
things need to change,” across Scotland now and in
says Julie Lamberth, senior Julie says: “It’s an opportunity the future.
charge nurse and RCN to engage with politicians
Scotland Board chair. and we need to do that now Prioritising safe staffing
more than ever. COVID-19
“Members have told us has shone a light on our Julie says that alongside fair
they’re working harder than profession and there’s been pay, one of the most crucial
ever but feel less valued a lot of references to nursing elements is implementing
and problems that pre- staff as ‘heroes’. I don’t see Scotland’s Health and Care
existed the pandemic, like myself as a hero – I’m just (Staffing) (Scotland) Act.
low staffing levels, continue doing my job. But I want to be Members were instrumental
to have a huge impact on valued for the job I do.” in shaping this safe staffing
patient safety, and staff legislation, which is the
morale and wellbeing.” The RCN’s Protect the Future first of its kind in the UK to
of Nursing manifesto sets apply to both health and
As Scotland prepares to out exactly what members social care services and was
elect its next government and the RCN think needs to passed in May 2019. Work to
in May, Julie and members be done to better value the implement the act has since
across the country have profession and to ensure been paused due to the
been calling on politicians nursing staff can deliver safe COVID-19 pandemic.Members in Wales are also campaigning ahead of the Senedd election on
6 May. Find out how to support RCN Wales’ Vote for Nursing campaign at
votefornursing.cymru 21
“One of our key asks is that work by the end of the year, most have
to implement the legislation in shown a lot of support during
workplaces starts again,” says online events hosted by the RCN.
Julie. “The RCN will be involved “Members are asking valuable
I don’t see
in this work, which includes questions and sharing their
myself as a
developing statutory guidance experiences,” says Julie.
hero. But I want
and workforce planning tools.
to be valued for
As well as attending these events
the job I do
“Even before the pandemic, and spreading the word on social
almost half of members in media, Julie wants to encourage
Scotland were reporting that members to get involved in
they were too busy to provide their local RCN branch. With
the level of care they’d like to. members who are working in
We’ve been holding roundtable the NHS in Scotland currently
events with MSPs as part of being consulted on a pay offer
our campaigning and members (see page 5), Julie says it’s also a
are questioning them on when good opportunity to find out more
the legislation will come into about what’s happening.
force – they can see the impact
it will have.” “The RCN has thousands of
members and we should be using
In her clinical role as a senior our voice,” says Julie. “As nursing
charge nurse (SCN), Julie is also staff, we advocate and speak up
optimistic about the difference for our patients. It’s time to all use
the legislation, alongside our voice to speak up for nursing
investment in the workforce – and the future of the profession.” Julie
another of the manifesto’s asks
– could make.
“With the right staffing levels,
Our manifesto calls for the next Scottish
I’d be able to focus more on government to ensure:
developing and supporting • fair pay for nursing
my staff,” explains Julie. “It’s • support for professional development
definitely got harder to do that and wellbeing
over the last year. I need time to • enough nursing staff to deliver safe and
develop staff and think about effective care
the next step in their careers. • a workforce in the community and care homes
With recent surveys showing that reflects clinical need
an increase in members wanting • action to tackle health inequalities and grow the
to leave the profession, this is mental health nursing workforce.
so important.”
With the Scottish parliament election taking place
Speaking up for nursing on 6 May, there’s still time to show your support for
the campaign on social media using the hashtag
Julie says that although #ProtectTheFutureOfNursing.
individual MSPs haven’t been
Find out more and get involved at rcn.org.uk/protect
able to commit to the RCN’s ask
of implementing the legislation22 SPOTLIGHT ON...
Library in your living room
The RCN Library and Archive Service has lots of tools to help members
gain confidence in using our e-library and easily find what they need
Alan says the team works
closely with RCN forum
steering committees, forum
members and the RCN’s
professional leads to create
the guides and they’re updated
regularly to reflect best
practice. There’s also a subject
guide for RCN reps, pulling
together a range of guidance
and resources to support
learning reps, safety reps and
stewards in their roles.
Useful tools
As well as subject guides,
“We know how busy members show members how to the library and archive
are so we want to make access articles and ebooks, service offers a number of
sure they can easily find the and how to search online online tools to help you find
information they need online,” databases like CINAHL, the reliable resources quickly.
says Alan Chalkley, RCN British Nursing Index, and the Through the online platform
Information Literacy Assistant. RCN’s subject guides. BrowZine, you can easily
“This has become even more browse nursing journals
essential during the pandemic Subject guides and magazines, from older
with our library buildings issues to the present day.
across the UK closed. The library’s subject
guides are a good starting A new tool called LibKey
“We have an extensive point for finding out more Nomad is also helping
online offer and we want to about different areas in members save time.
make it as easy as possible nursing and locating key Alan says: “When you’re
for members to find out resources, says Alan. “You’ll searching for information
what’s available and how to find resources from the on other websites, like
access it.” RCN and other reputable PubMed or Research Gate,
organisations, as well as LibKey Nomad shows you
With this in mind, the library ebooks, and we offer ready- which articles are available
and archive service offers a made journal searches on through the library and you
range of quick video tutorials. relevant topics to get you can then access them in one
These step-by-step guides started,” he explains. click.” Find out more aboutRCN.ORG.UK/LIBRARY 23
these tools at in,” says Alan. Another
tinyurl.com/rcnlib-tools new series is documenting
members’ experiences
Online events during the pandemic. These
events, and more, are
The library and archive available to watch again and
service hosts a range of members can also explore
regular events for members, the RCN’s wide range of
from nursing history talks, nursing exhibitions online.
to events tackling current
issues or helping members A helping hand
improve their study skills.
Jennifer
Alan says that although
As a result of COVID-19, there are many tools to help Jennifer Foreman, an
these events have all moved members use our e-library oncology nurse
online and the service has independently, the team practitioner from Northern
also introduced a series of is still on-hand to help. Ireland, says the RCN’s
creative workshops titled “Members can get in touch literature search service is
“Time to…”, giving members using our webchat function an invaluable resource
the opportunity to take part or give us a call,” says Alan.
in activities such as writing “We also offer one-to-one I’ve made good use of the
library’s literature search
poetry, drawing or guided online training sessions,
service – it’s supported
meditation. which can be tailored to me in my clinical role and
members’ needs and booked all the further training I’ve
“We wanted to do something through our website and undertaken. When you’re
to help members step weekly drop-in sessions.” writing something, you have
back from the challenging to factor in a lot of time
situation they’re working Visit rcn.org.uk/library for research. This is where
the service can save you
valuable time.
Do you know about our literature search service? My advice is to make sure
Our literature search service can save you time and support you have a really good idea
you in your RCN work or nursing career. Once you’ve submitted about what you want before
a request, our expert literature searchers will use a wide range you submit your request and
if you need help with this,
of databases to find journal articles and publications relevant
contact the library team.
to your topic and send you the details by email.
One of the main benefits of
using the RCN’s library is
Requests can be made by completing the form on our
the huge range of nursing-
website, or by phone, email or webchat. This service isn’t specific materials available.
available for student members, but we do have a range of
This shows in the literature
resources available to help students and other members
search results, and having
in carrying out their own searches. This that one-to-one service from
includes video tutorials, training sessions READ library staff with specialist
and our new interactive tool that helps MORE nursing knowledge makes
you get the most out of your searches ONLINE such a difference.
in 10 straightforward steps. rcn.org.uk/
activate Picture of Jennifer by
Visit rcn.org.uk/lit-search David GeeReturn address
RCN Direct, Copse Walk
Cardiff Gate Business Park
Cardiff, CF23 8X
We spend our lives working to
support ourselves and our loved
ones, yet 54% of British adults
do not have a will. Do you?
If you don't have a will, don't worry, as
A will is for everyone and easy an RCN member you have direct access
to arrange with our help. to RCNLaw and discounted rates.
Why not contact
us today?
Our team of expert professionals
can guide you through the
process, providing you with
peace of mind that your wishes
are clearly set out for the future.
rcn.org.uk/willsYou can also read
