Safety fears at nurses’ summit

The Royal College of Nursing has said its upcoming annual conference will be held online only following “serious allegations of sexual harassment”.

The union, which represents some 465,000 health workers, said that after “independent legal advice”, the elected members of its council had decided to “move this year’s meeting to a fully virtual event”.

The RCN Congress was due to be held in Liverpool across three days from September

18. The union said “as a matter of urgency” it was “undertaking a full review of all safeguarding policies and procedures as part of our cultural change”.

It did not provide details of the allegations, but said it took a “zero-tolerance approach” at all times.

Carol Popplestone, chair of the RCN Council, said: “We have acted fast and took a unanimous decision that protects all attendees.

“We know that many members planning to attend were looking forward to seeing each other in person for the first time in two years. But this decision was made with members’ safety at the top of our minds. That is what we are here to safeguard at all costs.”

She said having the conference online would not affect the quality of debate and discussion.