Seven Island nurses to head to Liverpool for RCN Congress 

Over 70 applications from the North-West region were considered

Seven nurses will represent the Island at this year's Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Congress in Liverpool.

The nurses underwent a 'rigorous' selection process, which included submitting an application for RCN funding. 

Over 70 applications from the North-West region were considered and six applicants were chosen from the Island.

They are Francesca Marzocca (Mental Health Nurse), Deborah Wolfendale (Community Nurse), Molly Oates (Student Nurse), Sara Forsythe (Registered Nurse – Theatres), Abisola Inyang (Registered Nurse – Theatres) and Faridat Ibidun (Registered Nurse).

They have each been awarded £500 by RCN North West to enable them to attend.

The seventh member of the group, Claire Green (Ward Sister & Lecturer), has been awarded a fully funded voting place at the four-day event. 

The largest gathering of nurses from the UK and Crown Dependencies will take place from 12 - 15 May.

Topics being discussed this year include:

• Artificial Intelligence in Nurse Education
• Assaults on Nursing Staff
• Health Tourism
• Losing Direct Nursing Skills
• Human Trafficking
• Men who experience Domestic Violence
• Health Inequalities
• Internationally Educated Nurses
• Quality Improvements

Talks are currently ongoing between Manx Care and the Royal College of Nursing after nurses on the Island voted in favour of a strike.

A four percent pay offer has previously been rejected, with the RCN expressing concern that the deal wouldn't be backdated for nurses who've left Manx Care during the current financial year.