18.05.16
Framework launched to encourage nurses, midwives and care staff to lead change
Nurses, midwives and care staff should play a key role in building a more effective and sustainable NHS and care system, the chief nursing officer for England has said today.
Launching the ‘Leading Change, Adding Value’ framework, Professor Jane Cummings said it is vital for increasing the role of nurses, midwives and care staff in delivering changes to the NHS such as the Five Year Forward View.
The new framework is aimed at encouraging and enabling nursing, midwifery and care staff to identify where and why there is variation in preventing ill health, care and efficiency – whether this is between hospital wards, care homes, entire NHS trusts or in any of settings where they work.
Professor Cummings said: “The role that nursing, midwifery and care staff play should not be underestimated – we are on hospital wards caring for people, out in the community, care homes, academia, sitting on Boards, developing policy, and in the private sector.
“The framework – which can be used across all the sectors, whatever the setting – will support staff to demonstrate how they can use their expertise to drive change.
“The leadership potential in our workforce to manage the challenges of today and shape the future is boundless. From addressing differences in the incidence of pressure ulcers, to changing pathways of care and support in diagnosing diabetes – nursing, midwifery and care staff are ideally placed to be leading that change and demonstrating their value.”
The framework is based on the following 10 commitments for NHS staff:
- We will promote a culture where improving the population’s health is a core component of the practice of all nursing, midwifery and care staff
- We will increase the visibility of nursing and midwifery leadership and input in prevention
- We will work with individuals, families and communities to equip them to make informed choices and manage their own health
- We will be centred on individuals experiencing high value care
- We will work in partnership with individuals, their families, carers and others important to them
- We will actively respond to what matters most to our staff and colleagues
- We will lead and drive research to evidence the impact of what we do
- We will have the right education, training and development to enhance our skills, knowledge and understanding.
- We will have the right staff in the right places and at the right time
- We will champion the use of technology and informatics to improve practice, address unwarranted variations and enhance outcomes
The framework is based on an extensive consultation process, including gathering over 11,000 pieces of evidence from frontline staff, the public, academics and nurse leaders across the health and care system.
A report published yesterday by the Nuffield Trust said that reshaping the NHS workforce to allow for the majority of care to be provided by support staff is vital for delivering the Five Year Forward View.
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