ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥

Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as or

Retired nurses' group

After a hiatus, the Northern region retired nurses' group is back.  

We hope to hold regular meetings that reflect our retired membersÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™ nursing interests and concerns, as well as featuring topical discussions and presentations.

If youÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™d like to be alerted when the next meeting is arranged, please email colette.ross@rcn.org.uk or call her on 0191 511 5809.

Key objectives

The key objectives of the Northern region retired nurses' group are to:

  • consult on national and regional policies and procedures to support and reflect nursing issues
  • develop and implement appropriate mechanisms and skills in support of media campaigns, e.g. lobbying
  • develop close links with RCN Northern board and  branches to ensure integration with the group
  • develop close links with RCN officers to contribute to education, development and training, recruitment, and equality and diversity agendas
  • establish, where appropriate, sub-working groups in order to progress issues outside of group meetings, that will be reported back for discussion and agreement
  • ensure appropriate communication mechanisms so that information is cascaded to and from the group in a consistent and timely manner
  • keep abreast of developments in respect of current issues as they affect nursing
  • develop, where possible, links with local health committees: e.g. health and social affairs scrutiny committees and clinical commissioning groups.

Why join the group?


Former chair Cate Woolley-Brown, who sadly died a few years ago, said about the group's purpose and achievements:

"When you retire, it doesnÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™t have to mean the end of your involvement with nursing. I started the Northern regionÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s retired nursesÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™ group in 2009 and membership of the group is growing very steadily ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ people see the value of coming along. ItÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s very nice for us to meet together but itÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s not just a social drop-in ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ itÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s not that kind of group - we focus on nursing issues and get a lot done. We talk about anything thatÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s current in the nursing world, local issues and issues that affect us as retired nurses. We have a lot to offer."

"WeÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re a very lively and active group and people can benefit from coming to know whatÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s going on in their local area. Our regional director and the RCN officers are very supportive of the group, and itÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s good to still feel part of nursing, weÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re not forgotten and weÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™re out there and an important part of the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥."


Page last updated - 20/06/2025