Call for nurses, midwives
and health service boards to restate their commitment to high
quality care
Prime Minister’s
Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in England sets
out the way forward for the future of the professions.
Nurses and midwives must renew their pledge to society to deliver
high quality, compassionate care – and must be better supported to
do so by their employers, according to a new report on the future
of nursing and midwifery in England published today.
The Prime Minister’s Commission on the Future of Nursing and
Midwifery in England believes that a strong statement of
commitment to high quality care from all concerned would help to
restore public trust. Front-line staff and their employers should
state how nurses and midwives will enact their values of
compassion, maintain their competence, and become champions of
care in hospitals and the community.
Ann Keen, Chair of the Commission on the Future of Nursing and
Midwifery said:
“Nurses and midwives are the lifeblood of the NHS and have always
been at the heart of good health care. As a nurse, I know their
great power and potential to improve the experiences of patients
and influence the standard of care in a wide range of settings.
“The Commission is clear that high quality, safe and
compassionate care must rise to the top of the agenda for a 21st
century world-class NHS. Nurses and midwives must renew their
pledge to deliver this and employers must take responsibility for
supporting them in this.
“If we are to build on the successes of the NHS and improve
health and wellbeing, then we must ensure that nurses and midwives
take their proper place as valued professionals at the heart of
health care - delivering, leading and shaping care now and for
future generations.”
The Commission warns that this issue must move to the top of the
NHS agenda in the challenging times ahead. Among its 20
recommendations, it highlights the need to prepare nurses to meet
the growing need for highly skilled care for people with long-term
conditions and the complex needs of ageing.
It sees nurses as centre stage to deliver this care, both in
hospitals and in people’s homes, but they must be properly
equipped and supported to do so. It also stresses the importance
of skilled midwifery to meet the challenges of a rising birth rate
and persistent health inequalities.
The Commission reached these conclusions following an extensive
engagement exercise with the public, service users, staff and
other stakeholders.
The Commission said:
“As was proposed to us, we want a future where patients,
relatives and carers are at the centre of service development and
design, and compassionate care is delivered by technically
competent nurses and midwives who maintain a person's
dignity. This is the key to a positive experience for service users.”
Last year the Prime Minister asked the Commission to advise him
on how to build the future of health care, and give nurses and
midwives a bigger say in service design and leadership as well as
care delivery. The Commission proposes a number of specific ways
to bring this about.
One key proposal is that ward sisters, charge nurses and
equivalent team leaders in the community and midwifery should be
restored to their former traditional positions of authority as
visible care champions. To do so they need optimum support and
training.
The Commission makes it clear that responsibility for high
quality and compassionate care starts at the front line and goes
right up to board level. To ensure accountability all boards
should include a Director of Nursing.
The report highlights that these recommendations will help the
largest group of registered professionals in the NHS to maximize
their contribution to health and wellbeing.
Notes to Editors:
1. For media enquires or interview bids please contact the
Department of Health Press Office on 0207 210 5221
2. For a copy of the report ‘Front-line Care: the future of
nursing and midwifery in England’ and a full list of the
Commission’s recommendations, please visit the Commission’s
website at www.cnm.independent.co.uk
3. The Prime Minister launched the Commission on the Future of
Nursing and Midwifery in England on March 10, 2009. It covers
England only, and considers midwifery and all branches of nursing,
in all settings, services and sectors. The PM asked the Commission
to do the following:
- Identify the competencies, skills and
support that frontline nurses and midwives
- Identify any
barriers that impede the pivotal role that ward sisters/charge
nurses/community team leaders provide.
- Identify the
potential and benefits for nurses and midwives, particularly in
primary and community care, of leading and managing their own
services.
- Engage with the professions, patients and the
public to identify challenges and opportunities for nurses and
midwives.
4. The Commissioners are 20 leaders and experts in nursing and
midwifery practice, management, education and research. For more
information, please see the following link: http://cnm.independent.gov.uk/about-us/
5. The Commission presented its report to Government on 2nd
March.
6. The Government welcomed the report and committed to a full
Government response in due course.
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk