Destructive probe sheds light on the toxic male-dominated culture of the Royal College of Nursing

The toxic, sex-driven culture of the British Nursing Association was exposed today by a damning internal report.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) launched an independent inquiry last year to “examine the organization thoroughly” following a series of allegations of bullying and sexual harassment.

The findings, released today, found that women, especially junior employees, are at risk for “alcohol and power-related exploitation.”

The 77-page report revealed that student nurses have been groped by senior union officials.

It also highlighted a misogynistic environment in higher levels of union leadership, with “loud and abrasive” male voices dominating the environment “at the expense of female colleagues.”

There were also claims of bullying and discrimination, with most of the university leadership dismissals being among ethnic minority women.

The independent inquiry into the culture of the RCN, produced by Bruce Carr KC, comes just days after the union launched the largest union action in its history.

Union bosses are currently asking for public support as they want a 17 per cent pay rise for nurses in the NHS.

The Guardian, which has seen a copy of the report, claimed the eminent lawyer had provided evidence to support the idea that senior union members had attempted to sexually abuse junior colleagues.

Events at the RCN’s annual congress, where more than 400,000 members from across the UK gather to vote on trade union policy, have met with particular criticism.

Events held as part of the conference consume large amounts of alcohol.

Concern about Congress was so high during the review that last year’s event was virtually held over “serious allegations of sexual harassment” by some members.

The probe highlights that some male members who attended the event, including senior figures, came with an “expectation” of sexual activity.

This included a culture in which the terms “congress woman/man” were in common use and reflected the prevalence of extramarital sexual relations, the review said.

A senior male figure told the review that female members would “offer it to you on a plate.”

The review also featured testimonials of how student nurses would be called late at night by male councilors, claiming it was an “open secret” that young colleagues left alone with them would be groped.

One member claimed they were told “students should be wary” when joining the union. Another said it was a “drunk, sexualized culture” where “abuse, grooming, and prey” were rife.

The assessment was commissioned by union general secretary Pat Cullen in September last year, shortly after she took the job.

Her appointment came after a series of internal disputes within the college, as well as several high-profile resignations and suspensions, including that of former chairman of the board Dave Dawes.

Mr Dawes, a rope bondage expert who had conducted workshops on techniques, was suspended after a series of complaints about his behaviour.

The Carr Review, which examined events from 2018, interviewed 60 members of the college, both past and present.

In the report itself, the lawyer called on the persons not mentioned in the report to think about their future in the GKv.

The Carr review also labeled the RCN’s controversial and male-dominated governing body, called the council, as “unfit for purpose.”

It said women and ethnic minorities on the council must endure a “hostile environment, at least from the perspective of those who felt they should leave.”

Despite 90 per cent of nurses in the UK being women, the RCN Council is seen as a ‘female-unfriendly environment’ in which ‘loud, grinding male voices’ dominate.

More than half of the current councilors of the RCN are male.

In a statement, Ms. Cullen said she apologized on behalf of the college for members’ bad behavior in the past.

“Where the behavior has failed in the past, I apologize today on behalf of the entire RCN,” she said.

“I will keep a close eye on this report as I redouble my efforts to review this college and give its members the strong, professional and truly representative organization they deserve.

“New safeguards and protocols have been put in place and we are modernizing our governance and rethinking our approach to equality and inclusiveness.”

She added that she wanted to see the GKv “dragged through the mire,” but said no one is blameless.

“Whatever role they had, or even today, those involved in the report and after appropriate investigation will face internal and regulatory ramifications,” she said.

“No names are given to the incidents described in this review, but I am determined that the forthcoming investigations will give complainants and victims the justice they deserve and serve as definitive proof of our commitment to change.”

In the wake of the report, Professor Rod Thomson, the RCN councilor for the West Midlands, announced that he would be stepping down from his post.

He said on Twitter that this was to “allow for a change in the composition of the Council and bring about a positive change in the gender and ethnic balance” and “not as a result of any association with the behavior in the Carr report.” ‘.

The RCN is currently on strike and last week sent out ballots urging its member to support a strike over wages.

The 106-year-old union is urging nurses to vote for the ‘once in a generation’ vote after the government refused to meet its wage demands – warning ‘enough is enough’. It could see thousands of operations and appointments canceled.

It demands that nurses receive a salary increase of at least five percent above inflation, which is currently 12.3 percent.

According to the union’s proposed figure, the average nurse, who earns about £35,600 a year, would receive an additional £6,150.

The government has offered to raise wages by £1,400, an increase of about four per cent.

But the RCN argues that this is in fact a wage cut due to inflation.