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This year, we welcomed 136 debate ideas from members across the UK. Our Congress Agenda Committee – made up of and elected by members like you – have curated the dynamic and varied final agenda below.  

If you have a debate idea about a new and urgent issue, you can still propose an emergency debate for consideration in May.

First report of the Agenda Committee

The Agenda Committee met on 22 and 23 January 2025 to agree the proposed agenda for Congress 2025.

136 agenda items were submitted for the Agenda Committee to consider, a similar number received for Congress 2024. There were submissions from 25 Branches, 3 Boards and 12 Forums. The Health & Safety Reps, Stewards and Students Committees each submitted items.

Items were submitted on a range of topics and from the overall submissions, the Committee selected 23 items to recommend to Council for the final agenda. This leaves a number of emergency item slots and members of voting entities are encouraged to put forward items on issues that have emerged since the closing date for submissions in early January. You can do this on the ÍâÍøÌìÌà website or go to the Governance Stand at Congress. The Agenda Committee will meet twice a day during Congress week to consider emergency submissions.

The Committee referred a number of agenda submissions for consideration for the Education, Learning and Development (ELD) programme and asked that the Mary Seacole Lecture be moved into the main hall. There would be 2 keynote speaker slots this year in reflection of the slightly shorter duration of Congress.

The Committee have also been involved in other planning aspects of Congress to ensure a balanced and engaging programme and to support the smooth running of business in the hall. The ELD Programme was once again selected by a panel including representatives from the UK Representatives, Students and Forum Chairs Committees and from across the four UK countries as well as the Chair of Congress.

The Committee were updated on the light touch review undertaken post Congress 2024 of the Congress Policy and Process document and approved for recommendation to Council the minor changes proposed to provide greater clarity in a number of areas. A copy of the updated document is available on the Congress website.

The Committee also welcomed that the Library and Institute of Nursing Excellence teams were piloting a Congress workshop programme this year to support high quality evidence-based debates and discussions including helping first-time speakers to be more confident in presenting. The programme covered 6 workshops, with sessions on effective presentation skills and practicing your pitch sessions to be offered during Congress week. Details were available on the Congress 2025 programme page of the Congress website.

This is election year for 4 seats on the Agenda Committee, nominations for which opened on 15 April 2025. A hustings event will be held during Congress on Tuesday 13 May, 5pm in the main hall. Voting members of Congress submitting entities are eligible to vote and which will run from Wednesday 14 May 2025 8am until 6pm. Should you have any questions, please go to the Governance Stand.

This year's debates will run in the following order:

1. Celebrating a nursing career

Matter for discussion submitted by the Dorset Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses what members can do to raise the profile of nursing as a positive career.

2. Increasing our understanding of neurodiversity in adults

Resolution submitted by the Dumfries and Galloway Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress calls on ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to lobby UK governments to undertake a 4-nation review of access to assessment of neurodiverse conditions in adults.

3. Losing direct nursing skills

Matter for discussion submitted by the Eastern Board

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses the potential implications of losing direct clinical nursing skills.

4. A better work-life balance for nursing staff

Matter for discussion submitted by the Dumfries and Galloway Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses meaningful measures to improve work-life balance for nursing staff.

5. Zero hours contracts and NHS nursing pay

Resolution submitted by the Greater Liverpool and Knowsley Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress asks ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to investigate the negative impact of bank on NHS pay, terms and conditions of employment.

6. Nursing's role in combatting human trafficking

Matter for discussion submitted by the Dumfries and Galloway Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses the role of the nursing family in combating human trafficking.

7. Accountability for patients in ambulances

Resolution submitted by the Northern Ireland Northern Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress calls on ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to clarify the position of accountability of both organisations and registered nurses when caring for patients in ambulances waiting to access emergency departments.

8. International student nurse hardship

Resolution submitted by the Students Committee

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress recognises the challenges specific to international student nurses across the UK and lobbies universities to provide extensive support to reduce the hardships faced by this student group.

9. Nursing student financial support

Resolution submitted by the Students Committee

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress lobbies the governments of the four nations to commit to a review of the financial support available to nursing students. 

10. Artificial intelligence in nurse education

Matter for discussion submitted by the Dorset Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in nurse education.

11. Health tourism

Matter for discussion submitted by the North Central London Inner Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress considers the impact of health tourism abroad. 

12. Assaults on nursing staff and employer accountability

Resolution submitted by the UK Health and Safety Reps Committee

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress requests ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council explore ways to hold employers more accountable in their duty of care to their employees in relation to the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. 

13. Is the Health and Safety at Work Act worth celebrating?

Matter for discussion submitted by the Greater Liverpool and Knowsley Branch

Having celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, that this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses whether it has been 50 years of failure.

14. Social care investment

Resolution submitted by the Dorset Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress demands the UK governments take urgent action to invest in social care.

15. Stopping the decline in learning disability nursing

Resolution submitted by the Learning Disability Nursing Forum

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress calls on ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to urgently support workforce modelling that recognises the importance of registered nurses in learning disabilities.

16. The role of nursing staff in quality improvement

Matter for discussion submitted by the Public Health Forum

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses the role of nursing staff in quality improvement and whether we currently have the capabilities, opportunities and motivation to undertake such work.

17. Support for men who experience domestic abuse

Resolution submitted by the Birmingham East and North and Solihull Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress condemns the lack of availability of practical, psychological and emotional support mechanisms for men who experience domestic abuse.

18. Establishment of a member credit union

Resolution submitted by the Dumfries and Galloway Branch

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress calls on ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to explore the establishment of a member credit union. 

19. Leadership support for person-centred care

Resolution submitted by the Mental Health Forum

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress asks ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to urge health care systems and providers across the UK to empower nurse leaders to develop clear, active practice policies that promote safe, culturally appropriate, person-centred care.  

20. Tackling health inequalities

Matter for discussion submitted by the CYP Acute Care Forum

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses the role that nursing staff can undertake in tackling health inequalities.

21. Is current nursing regulation fit for purpose?

Resolution submitted by the Public Health Forum

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress calls on ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to undertake work on the future regulation of nurses, midwives and nursing associates to ensure the protection and safety of the public and nursing profession. 

22. Physician associates

Resolution submitted by the Public Health Forum

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress calls on ÍâÍøÌìÌà Council to investigate the impact of physician associates on nursing.  

23. The internationally educated nurse title

Matter for discussion submitted by the Eastern Board

That this meeting of ÍâÍøÌìÌà Congress discusses the potential long-term effect of the use of the title "internationally educated nurse".

There will be 28 debates at Congress 2025. We'll publish the running order shortly.

Each debate runs for up to 30 minutes. Timings can change, where appropriate.

Debates run like this:

1. The debate is proposed by a member from the branch, forum or committee that submitted it. The proposer has five minutes to introduce it.
2. If the debate is a resolution, it’s 'seconded' (supported) by a member from another branch, forum or committee. The seconder speaks for two minutes. 
3. Any member who would like to speak is then invited to put forward their views on the topic. They can speak for up to two minutes.
4. The proposer returns to close the discussion and give a ‘right to reply’ to sum up and clarify points raised.
5. If the debate is a resolution, the voting members are asked to vote on whether we should take the proposal forward. 

Speaking at Congress is a great opportunity to get your voice heard on vital topics. It’s crucial for a good debate that as many different views as possible are raised. It can feel daunting, but you’ll soon discover that all speakers – especially those taking the mic for the first time – receive a very warm welcome.