The newly elected Vice Chair of RCN Congress has vowed to support more first-time speakers at Congress and encourage a healthy culture of debate.
Linda Bailey, who has held various roles within the College, was elected to her new position today following a vote by RCN branch chairs, forums and representative committees.
She will take over the post immediately and will support the RCN Congress Chair BJ Waltho.
Congress is our annual debating forum for members and is considered a key event in the nursing calendar.
It allows nursing staff to come together to learn, develop and share best practice and to influence nursing and health care policy.
Linda will work with BJ to conduct the business at Congress and ensure the rules and procedures are followed.
Reflecting on her election, Linda said: “I’m so privileged to be given the support of the membership to become your next Vice Chair of Congress. As someone who has attended Congress on a number of occasions, I know that I can do this, and do this well.
“I will work hard on your behalf with the Chair and the Agenda Committee to ensure RCN Congress is a place of debate for both the professional and trade union sides of the College,” she added. “And I will work alongside the team to support and promote more first-time speakers, and speakers with new points to make in debates.”
Linda’s broad career has seen her working as a consultant in Public Health for NHS Barking and Dagenham and most recently as a consultant in Public Health for Public Health Wales. She is also a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health (retired).
Linda has extensive experience within the RCN as both a branch representative, former steward, Council member in the 1990s, and more recently as a professional forum committee member. She also spent five years on the Agenda Committee.
The next RCN Congress will be held from 14 to 18 May in Brighton. Members can submit items to be debated at the event before the deadline of 11 January.
