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RCN members to vote on covert filming

Use of surveillance cameras in nursing homes on the agenda for this year's congress

The use of surveillance cameras in nursing and residential homes will be debated at this year’s RCN congress.

The agenda for the event, which will be held in Bournemouth from June 21-25, lists covert filming among several controversial issues to be debated.

Covert filming has helped to expose appalling failures in care in recent years, but the RCN has expressed doubts about surveillance on ethical and privacy grounds. In February the Care Quality Commission published guidance to help residents' families and friends considering installing hidden cameras to make appropriate decisions.

Other items for resolution include the A&E crisis, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) mental health and stress at work.

Strike action tops the bill on matters for discussion, with a scheduled session on whether RCN members should strike. This follows unprecedented strike action over pay last year by other healthcare unions, including Unison, Unite and the RCM.

The cost of nursing, child health inequalities and using data for health will also be debated at congress. Thousands of nurses are expected to attend the event to learn, develop and share nursing practice.

To see the full agenda click here