At national level the Association is a registered stakeholder of NICE the NHS National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and also links with other Catholic and professional agencies / Government and Non Government organizations for the protection of pro-life choices and to explore research and discussion of biomedical and ethical issues and current work practice in the context of social change and the teaching of the Catholic Church .
At international level the Association
represents the nursing profession of the Catholic Church of England and Wales on CICIAMS the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medical-Social (healthcare)Assistants.
CICIAMS as a Catholic international organization has long established formal NGO (Non Government Organization) consultative relations with WHO , UN/UNESCO/ UNICEF and other leading world health organizations to promote respect for Catholic Church teachings of the dignity and sanctity of all human life within local national and international healthcare programmes and practices of care .
ARTICLE 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES ENGLAND AND WALES AS AMENDED 1997
'The (Guild)Association is geared to foster in its members a fuller realisation of the dignity of the vocation to which they are called.It is pre-eminently a great work of the apostolate to bring the love of our Heavenly Father ,the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit and the compassion of Christ to the sick and suffering and especially the dying.The keynote is therefore prayer,dedication and reverence for life.The incentive and reward we find in the words of the Master 'because you did it to the least of my brethren you did it to me'
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Association of Catholic Nurses of England and Wales is open to student, practising and retired Catholic nurses, health visitors, midwives, lecturers, assessors and health care assistants.
