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Independent health and social care blogs

Read the latest blogs from our staff and members working in independent health and social care (IHSC).

If you have an idea for a blog we could publish, please email ihsc@rcn.org.uk.



31 blog posts
  • Pam Penman Pam Penman 17 Nov 2023

    The benefits of a roundtable discussion - and a care home provider success story

    Why independent sector nursing staff should attend our roundtable discussions - and how one care home provider successfully negotiated funding for their health care support workers to study nursing with the Open University while continuing employment in their workplace.

  • Linda Graham Linda Graham 17 Oct 2023

    RCN NI Independent Sector Runner-Up Award

    I am proud to say that my journey to achieving change in nursing homes has resulted in recognition of my hard work and dedication. I was honoured to receive the RCN NI Independent Sector Runner-Up Award. 

  • Vicky Sandy-Davis Vicky Sandy-Davis 12 Oct 2023

    With age comes wisdom (apparently)

    Vicky Sandy-Davis, our Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in the West Midlands, discusses her career in learning disability nursing and how she came to work at the RCN.

  • Brenda Rushe Brenda Rushe 3 Oct 2023

    The role of the Independent Health and Social Care Lead Nurse

    My role as Independent Health and Social Care Lead Nurse at RCN Northern Ireland role is exciting and diverse.

  • Baby nurse Leanne Hume 800x400 Leanne Hume Leanne Hume 18 Sep 2023

    Pushing for a cultural shift

    I’ve always been an RCN member, but it’s only as a staff member that I’ve realised the true extent of what we do for our members.

  • Lisa Kieh Lisa Kieh 23 Aug 2023

    Raising the voice of independent health and social care staff in Wales

    Lisa Kieh, our Independent Sector and Community Adviser for Wales, discusses the challenges faced by members in independent health and social care and the work she’s been doing to support them.

  • Carol Dale Carol Dale 2 Aug 2023

    Using technology to improve pain management in care homes

    Carol Dale, Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care in Scotland, discusses how independent care nurses are exploring ways to improve pain management, including using digital technology.

  • Carol Dale Carol Dale 23 Jun 2023

    Time to highlight the value of nursing in care homes

    While the NHS is very much part of everyone’s life, most of us don’t engage with care homes until later in life. This may be during a crisis when a friend, relative or indeed we are in need of support and subsequently make contact with social care services. 

  • Sam Preston Sam Preston 21 Jun 2023

    "Seeing vulnerable people treated without dignity and respect made me determined to complete my nurse training"

    Sam Preston, Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care for the East Midlands, discusses how her career in nursing led her to the RCN and why improving patients’ experiences has always been at the heart of her work.

  • Woman wearing mask outside looking up at buildings Sarah Winfield-Davies Sarah Winfield-Davies 7 Jun 2023

    Bringing members together

    As the 2021 film Help highlighted, people working in care homes felt isolated and unsupported during the peak of the pandemic, especially at the beginning when they lacked even basic PPE to protect themselves and their residents.