The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the election of a new chair and vice chair of its governing council.
From January 2025, nurse practitioner Carmel O’Boyle will become the new chair of RCN Council and emergency care staff nurse Natalie Brooks will become the vice chair.
Mr O’Boyle, who works in Merseyside, is an RCN steward, and is also currently chair of the Greater Liverpool and Knowsley Branch and RCN North West Board.
She said she was ‘’beyond excited to lead RCN Council’.
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‘I’m committed to representing all of our members and leading the council to making bold, transparent decisions to advance the nursing profession,’ added Ms O’Boyle.
‘I want to amplify the voices of nursing staff and ensure our members get the recognition they deserve, so we can do the best for our patients.’
New vice chair Ms Brooks is also an RCN steward and currently the chair of the RCN Norfolk Branch Committee and RCN Eastern Board.
She said: ‘Active communication is a cornerstone of my approach to being vice chair.
‘It ensures that everyone feels heard, empowered, and engaged in the decision-making process.
‘This will be key to maintaining impactful and fair decision-making within council.’
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Congratulating the pair on their election, RCN general secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said she looked forward to ‘working together on the college’s priorities from 2025’.
‘These include pushing for fixes on key issues that affect nursing staff such as pay, recruitment and retention, corridor care and support for students,’ said Professor Ranger.
‘Their experience and passion will help us lead the council to enact positive change, improving the working lives of nursing staff and improving patient care across the public and private sectors.’
The RCN paid tribute to the outgoing chair Paul Vaughan and vice chair Theresa Porrett for their ‘hard work, commitment and huge contribution over the last year’.
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Last month, the RCN announced the appointment of its new president Bejoy Sebastian and deputy president Professor Alison Leary.
