year of change, The

Mental Health Nursing,  Jan 2006  

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It was all change at the MHNA conference for 2005. With the CPHVA, the Association took over the Bournemouth International Conference centre in November. Travelling Together' was the theme. While the agendas were different the facilities and the entertainments were shared including a wild hoe down and a mind blowing drumming session (see below)

Sharon Duncan (right), chair of the MHNA described the 2006 as 'the year of realities'. Writing in her annual report she cited Agenda for Change and new mental health legislation as examples.

She added: 'For our organisation it has been the adjustment to being in a new union. Union mergers always take time to bed in. I am reliably informed that we are talking four years. However the impact of change is already being brought home to us through having to account for our budget and looking seriously at what we spend our money on.'

Addressing delegates at the opening of conference she took the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy as her theme and warned mental health nurses that nobody knew what was ahead: 'We have to adjust and cope in our universe and the NHS'.

Amicus lead officer Barrie Brown, in his report, paid tribute to the work of Sharon Duncan and Colin Adkins, Amicus health sector research officer for their work on advanced practitioner profiles under Agenda for Change. He pointed out that the health sector in Amicus made it the second largest sector in the union. He added: The union's industrial structure provides the opportunity for MHNA workplace reps to be active in the national nursing occupational advisory committee and the health sector committee.'

The AGM adopted a document setting out new structures for the Association within Amicus. The MHNA will retain its name and its governing body will be known as the National Professional Committee consisting of 12 regional reps and others co-opted for specific national roles. The chair will be elected by members of the NPC.

The election of the new NPC will take place in the spring and office will be for two years. MHNA will continue to be supported by a team of professional officers and Amicus 'recognises the unique role of the MHNA annual conference as a professional activity an a major recruitment forum.'

The union also recognises the significance of the web site and Mental Health Nursing journal and 'the very real role that the publication plays in the recruitment of new members and raising the profile of the mental health nursing profession.'

Steve Smith asked about Amicus continuing to support the journal. Sharon Duncan replied that what Amicus would continue to support depended on finances.

'We have striven for a recognition of the worthiness of our journal, how vital it is to our members and its role in recuitment.

Sharon Duncan continued as chair of the Association but the meeting noted with sadness the retirement of Paddy Carr and Yvonne Baxter as President and Vice President, respectively.

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association Jan 2006
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