Menu
10/03/2009
Commission Of Experts To Improve Quality Of Patient Care
A new Commission of Experts to advise the Government on the future role of nurses and midwives will be announced by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson today.
The Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery will build on the existing work identified in Lord Darzi's report High Quality Care for All and consider how nurses can further improve safety, champion high quality patient care and give nurses and midwives more freedom to manage, commission and run their own services. All branches of nursing and midwifery will be considered including health visitors, mental health and learning disability nurses and paediatric nurses.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "As society has changed, so has healthcare. This is particularly true of the traditional roles of nurses and midwives. Nurses now have more powers to make real, tangible improvements on wards, in GP centres and in the community. They have taken on far greater responsibility in clinical care, developing their skills as leaders and managers.
"With the focus for the NHS centred on quality, now is a good time to consider how we build on these expanding roles. The Commission will bring a wealth of personal experience to bear in order to ensure that we can enable nurses to deliver a world-class services in every aspect of the NHS."
Welcoming the Commission, Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, also commented: "The patient remains at the heart of nurses' and midwives' work, but the way they do their jobs, and the responsibilities they bear, have changed dramatically over the last few years.
"We need the nursing and midwifery family armed with the skills and knowledge to tackle the challenges of the future. Who better to ask than the people doing the job for better ways to deliver advanced nursing practice? The Commission will provide a much needed way of harvesting the wealth of ideas and experience that these nursing experts bring to the profession."
The Commission will consult with the profession, patients and the public over the coming months in a series of events to take place around the country.
They will report to the Prime Minister by March 2010.
(JM/BmcC)
The Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery will build on the existing work identified in Lord Darzi's report High Quality Care for All and consider how nurses can further improve safety, champion high quality patient care and give nurses and midwives more freedom to manage, commission and run their own services. All branches of nursing and midwifery will be considered including health visitors, mental health and learning disability nurses and paediatric nurses.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "As society has changed, so has healthcare. This is particularly true of the traditional roles of nurses and midwives. Nurses now have more powers to make real, tangible improvements on wards, in GP centres and in the community. They have taken on far greater responsibility in clinical care, developing their skills as leaders and managers.
"With the focus for the NHS centred on quality, now is a good time to consider how we build on these expanding roles. The Commission will bring a wealth of personal experience to bear in order to ensure that we can enable nurses to deliver a world-class services in every aspect of the NHS."
Welcoming the Commission, Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, also commented: "The patient remains at the heart of nurses' and midwives' work, but the way they do their jobs, and the responsibilities they bear, have changed dramatically over the last few years.
"We need the nursing and midwifery family armed with the skills and knowledge to tackle the challenges of the future. Who better to ask than the people doing the job for better ways to deliver advanced nursing practice? The Commission will provide a much needed way of harvesting the wealth of ideas and experience that these nursing experts bring to the profession."
The Commission will consult with the profession, patients and the public over the coming months in a series of events to take place around the country.
They will report to the Prime Minister by March 2010.
(JM/BmcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 April 2003
Lack of nurses puts patients at risk
A lack of qualified nurses means that students are being left in sole charge of patients in the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. The RCN has pointed to a "serious lack" of registered nurses to support and guide students, which is "endangering patient care and short-changing these urgently needed new recruits to nursing".
Lack of nurses puts patients at risk
A lack of qualified nurses means that students are being left in sole charge of patients in the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. The RCN has pointed to a "serious lack" of registered nurses to support and guide students, which is "endangering patient care and short-changing these urgently needed new recruits to nursing".
08 February 2005
Review of mental health nurses announced
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) has announced plans for a new framework for mental health nursing. CNO Chris Beasley said that the review of mental health nursing would look at a number of issues, including race equality, health promotion, child protection and the development of non-medical prescribing.
Review of mental health nurses announced
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) has announced plans for a new framework for mental health nursing. CNO Chris Beasley said that the review of mental health nursing would look at a number of issues, including race equality, health promotion, child protection and the development of non-medical prescribing.
19 September 2003
Government has 'failed' to reverse nursing shortages
The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) has issued a warning to government today that its policies have failed to reverse serious shortages in nursing staff.
Government has 'failed' to reverse nursing shortages
The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) has issued a warning to government today that its policies have failed to reverse serious shortages in nursing staff.
18 July 2007
Nurses’ morale 'at ten year low'
Morale amongst nurses is at a ten year low, a new survey by the Royal College of Nursing has shown. The 'Holding On' survey showed that optimism over job security, career progression and training are at their lowest levels since 1997.
Nurses’ morale 'at ten year low'
Morale amongst nurses is at a ten year low, a new survey by the Royal College of Nursing has shown. The 'Holding On' survey showed that optimism over job security, career progression and training are at their lowest levels since 1997.
29 September 2006
Mental health services 'failing' patients
People with mental health problems are being failed due to poor access to key community services. a Healthcare Commission report has said.
Mental health services 'failing' patients
People with mental health problems are being failed due to poor access to key community services. a Healthcare Commission report has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
