RCN Council consists of one representative each from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one from each of England’s nine regions. It includes a member to represent healthcare practitioners and one for students, who was elected separately earlier this month. Council provides strategic leadership and direction for the College and its Chair, Vice Chair and Honorary Treasurer will be elected in the New Year from within the Council.
Turnout rates varied from 4.8% and 8.3% in different contests. Individuals elected will begin a one-year term of office on 1 January 2019.
Dave Dawes said: “I am really pleased to announce that I have the huge honour of being re-elected as Council member for the Royal College of Nursing. According to the scrutineer’s report I received more votes than any other candidate nationally and I am extremely grateful for all the votes and support that I received.
“I am still disappointed in the turnout and I pledge to fight hard on behalf of all members, whether they voted for someone else or didn’t vote at all.
“I want to particularly thank those who campaigned for me and supported me, especially Maggie Heaton, Mike Travis and Andrea Spyropoulos. I also wanted to thank Alan Finnegan who also stood in the North West, as it takes a lot of courage to put yourself forward for any nationally elected role.”
Regional Director of RCN North West, Estephanie Dunn, said: “On behalf of the region, I wish to congratulate Dave and look forward to working closely with him in 2019 on the biggest challenges facing our profession and continuing the good work we have already started.
“The nursing profession faces some of the most significant challenges in a generation and this Council will oversee the launch of fresh campaigning efforts by the RCN to attract people into nursing, arrest the decline in workforce supply and enshrine safe staffing levels in law.”
Professor Dame Donna Kinnair, Acting RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary, said: “The field of candidates was exceptionally strong and the College is fortunate to attract people with such broad experience to these top roles.
“On behalf of all the staff at the College, I wish to congratulate the successful candidates and look forward to working closely with them in 2019 on the biggest challenges facing our profession. I offer my personal gratitude to members of Council whose terms of office end this month – they are a credit to nursing and our organisation.
“Above all, I wish to thank wholeheartedly Maria Trewern for chairing Council this year and steering the College through a time of great challenge and change. Any candidate who is disappointed today must know that, in whatever capacity they continue to serve the RCN and fellow members, their work is greatly appreciated.
“The nursing profession faces some of the most significant challenges in a generation and this Council will oversee the launch of fresh campaigning efforts by the RCN to attract people into nursing, arrest the decline in workforce supply and enshrine safe staffing levels in law in every part of the UK.”
