Giving independent health and social care the same voice as the NHS

I wanted to write this blog to introduce myself to our members in the Eastern region working across all IHSC services - whether you're working in GP surgeries, learning disability services, prisons or the myriad of social care services across the region.

Since joining the RCN, I’ve met many people in the organisation who care deeply about IHSC and want to give you a voice and fight for better pay and conditions. That includes people who have been advocates for the sector for many years, quietly toiling away within the RCN, officers who want to support and advocate for you in the workplace and the eleven other Lead Nurses who are joining the organisation over the coming months to cover the whole of the UK.

Over the coming year, we hope to meet many current members and grow our membership across the IHSC sector. I want to hear about the issues that matter to you and how we can best engage with members and future members across the sector.

I became a member of the RCN when I started my career working in an acute hospital in London. I enjoyed the sense of security offered by membership and the idea that someone had my back and was fighting for my rights as a nurse.

Fast forward five years and I made the jump into social care, working as a registered manager for a medium sized not-for-profit provider, before moving into an operational role. I was lucky to work for a supportive organisation who cared about staff welfare and wanted to provide the best possible service. I was given the opportunity to work with the local clinical commissioning group and the integrated care system giving a voice to social care.

When I saw the role of Lead Nurse for Independent Health and Social Care with the RCN, I was immediately interested. Having worked outside the NHS for the majority of my career, I believe it is vital for IHSC organisations to get the funding and recognition they deserve.

I am keen to hear from members across the IHSC sector to better understand how we can support and engage with you. Please email me at: sam.westbrook@rcn.org.uk.