A conference in Bristol has been cancelled by the RCN because of coronavirus.
The RCN has announced its 230-person Joint Representatives’ Conference will not go ahead as planned tomorrow.
The College said: ‘[The] difficult decision…is based on the latest advice about Covid-19′. It was taken after a meeting of its executive team. Speakers and delegates will be contacted about the change.
A RCN spokesperson said: ‘We believe this is a proportionate response and in the best interests of those due to attend.’
In its own guidance, the RCN states that it will continue to run events ‘while monitoring the latest UK government advice’ but update attendees if the situation changes.
It also instructs people not to attend RCN events or courses if they are displaying symptoms; reside in or have returned from a category 1 country in 14 days prior to the event; or reside in or have returned from a category 2 country in the 14 days prior to the event and are displaying symptoms.
Delegates unable to attend an RCN event due to coronavirus will also receive a full refund on their registration fee.
The Joint Representatives’ Conference is a meeting of RCN representatives, who communicate between the College and members in the workplace.
As of today, 456 patients had tested for positive for coronavirus in the UK and six people have died. Over 27,000 people have been tested.
The news comes as retired nurses have raised concerns about their safety if they are asked to return to work to help tackle coronavirus.
