The Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) controversial streamlining of its professional forums, including scrapping a stand-alone occupational health (OH) forum, has moved on with the appointment of OH adviser and academic Jan Maw as public health adviser.
Last summer [OH news September, 2008] the RCN said it would incorporate the OH forum in a new public health forum under plans to reduce its 70 professional forums to 41. The new structure will be formally unveiled at the RCN Congress in May.
Sheffield University lecturer Maw widens her existing advisory role to take in OH and public health areas such as travel and sexual health, health visitors and TB nursing.
Maw will also pick up the work previously done by OH adviser Sharon Horan, whose role was axed last March.
RCN chief executive and general secretary Dr Peter Carter said: “We believe Jan has the experience, knowledge and passion to take this important portfolio of work forward, representing members and campaigning for change.”
“It is a wonderful opportunity to develop a vibrant and dynamic RCN public health forum and strengthen the network of public health nursing expertise,” said Maw.
