23.04.14
Nurse training review to bring back ‘care’ and ‘compassion’
Lord Willis of Knaresborough is to conduct a review into the state of nursing education in England in an effort to “change cultures” and ensure caring for patients is at the heart of nursing activities.
The Shape of Caring review will be launched next month by Health Education England and the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It is due to publish findings by February 2015.
As part of its remit, the review will look at the education and training of all nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants before qualification and through their careers. It will also focus on hiring nurses with “the right values” as well as recruiting older nurses from other careers.
Lord Willis, who has previously worked on reports for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on nurse education, has stated that nurse recruitment has been “too focused on graduates”.
“There has been an over-emphasis on 18 to 21-year-olds when actually what we need is more a pathway for mature men and women with life experience, who can see nursing as a second career,” he said.
The Lib Dem peer added that healthcare professionals should take more responsibility for their work and should be held accountable for their failings.
He said: “This is not about hospital brochures that say 'we put patients first'. This is about changing the culture, leading by example and challenging poor behaviour. At the core of this should be caring for the patient.”
In response to the review announcement, Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, added that the vast majority of nurses are highly caring and compassionate, “upholding the traditions and values of profession, and putting patients first to provide the best possible care despite often difficult circumstances and overstretched resources”.
However, he said: “Any drive to ensure the culture in all organisations in the NHS is one that puts patient care first is welcome. Nurse education and recruitment is just one aspect of this drive, along with strong leadership and the right numbers of staff in the right areas.”
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that the NHS is already rising to the challenge. “Post-Francis we have 2,400 more nurses on our wards, greater transparency, and compassionate care replacing tick-box targets,” he said. “This new review will bring together experts from across the health sector to help train the next generation of nurses and midwives.”
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