The RCN has appointed Patricia Marquis as the permanent director for England after holding the role temporarily since June.
Ms Marquis, who is an orthopaedic nurse by background, has held several roles across the RCN, most recently as regional director for the South East. She first joined the RCN as a rep before becoming a staff member more than 25 years ago.
Ms Marquis said: ‘It’s a privilege to represent nursing and members particularly as they face the toughest times in their careers. I’m proud of what they have delivered, humbled by their experiences and am determined to fight with and for them on every level, especially in ensuring safe staffing and fair pay.’
The RCN is currently campaigning for guaranteed safe staffing levels across all settings and against a 3% pay rise for NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England. It instead is campaigning for a 12.5% increase for nurses across the UK.
Last month, an RCN survey among English members found 89% of members said they’d be willing to take action short of a strike – such as by working contracted hours only – while 54% said they’d be willing to strike, out of the 23% of eligible members who voted.
Ms Marquis replaces former RCN England director Mike Adams.
This comes after the RCN announced that Carol Popplestone and Mel Kerr have been elected as chair and vice chair of its governing council on a two-year term.
