Fresh routes into nursing will help sustain a workforce for the future
As I look ahead to International Nurses Day this year, I do so with retirement in mind. Indeed, I will have retired by the 12 May, so it is a bitter sweet moment for me. My career has been long and varied – but never dull. I have loved every minute of it and I am proud that I chose nursing and, indeed, I am proud to say that I am a nurse.
It's been a blast and I would, if I could, do it all again.
But, looking ahead, there are many challenges in relation to funding for the health and care system in Scotland. This includes recruiting and sustaining a workforce for the future and, in particular, for nurses and nursing. I am proud of the work we have done and are continuing to do here in Scotland, and none more so than the work of the ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce. We have worked collectively and in partnership with all stakeholders to get to a position of putting forward recommendations, particularly in relation to recruitment and retention, as well as reducing attrition in undergraduate programmes.
The issues are multifactorial, but we know that we need to look afresh at the routes into nursing and the incentives we could offer to retain those who graduate in Scotland. This lines up well with the work completed in 2022/2023 in relation to pay and other workforce issues. Regarding the latter, we are now moving forward in relation to reducing working hours, provision for protected learning time and a review of the band 5 job description.
Alongside this work we have created a band 2-4 framework, which is enabling the recruitment, development and progression of staff into new careers and may well progress from here to undergraduate nursing programmes.
There are also wider issues around staffing levels that we need to fix and I am delighted that from 1 April 2024, Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 came into force. This legislation is not just for nursing, but for all healthcare disciplines working in all settings.
It is fair to say this will not be without challenge, but we need to implement it to ensure that we are all held to account for the quality of care that patients in our system deserve. It should work as a catalyst for change.
So I will look on with interest and give my support from the sidelines, but I hope that what I leave behind will support not only the person who takes over from me, but the future of our nursing workforce and the continued delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.
Workforce sustainability and staff wellbeing are key priorities
I am delighted to wish all my nursing colleagues in Northern Ireland a very happy International Nurses Day 2024.
I have met many of you since taking up post and have witnessed first hand your dedication and commitment as you deliver top-quality care across a range of settings and fields of practice.
Day in and day out, you continue to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care, in the face of financial and budgetary pressures. I know that those pressures have felt severe and relentless. We all know that this is an extremely challenging time for our health and social care service.
I recognise the key issues of concern to you: the health and wellbeing of the workforce, safe staffing, good terms and working conditions, recruitment and retention, and ensuring staff feel valued.
And I want to reassure you all that work is under way to address the challenges and pressures we face, within current funding constraints.
The theme of this year's International Nurses Day is Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.
The International Council of Nurses has chosen this focus with the aim of demonstrating how strategic investment in nursing can bring considerable economic and societal benefits. That is a sentiment with which I strongly agree. Investment in the workforce, and their continued personal and professional development on clearly defined pathways, is a must for me.
We are continuing to invest in pre-registration education for nurses and midwives. The Department of Health committed to, and has delivered, an extra 900 undergraduate places over the past 3 years. The number of commissioned university places in Northern Ireland almost doubled over the decade between 2012/2013 and 2022/2023.
With the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive earlier this year, a much deserved and long overdue pay settlement for health staff was tabled, and the Department of Health (NI) is moving to implement that offer at the earliest opportunity. This will see the restoration of pay parity with England for health and social care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework.
Workforce sustainability, recruitment and retention, and the promotion of staff wellbeing, are key priorities for me.
We have also launched a number of initiatives over the past year that will help improve health outcomes for our population, including Continuity of Midwifery Carer, which will ensure better outcomes for mothers, babies and the midwives caring for them, and the Enhancing Clinical Care Framework, bringing forward a more integrated approach to meeting the clinical needs of care-home residents.
We need to be realistic, though, and understand that challenges will persist, given the scale of the budgetary pressures.
As NI Health Minister Robin Swann recently said, we will not be able to come close to doing all the things we want. We therefore have to make sure we make the best use of every single penny we receive.
But, as demonstrated above, even within this constrained financial context, work is under way to drive forward much-needed health transformation – and nurses are key to this.
As we mark this year's International Nurses Day, I am confident that collectively we can work together to address current and future challenges and make health and social care a great place to work for nurses and midwives, and wider health and social care teams.
Our nurses, our future: unveiling the economic power of care
As your Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, I wish you all a Diwrnod Rhyngwladol y Nyrs Hapus this 12 May. Amid global challenges and uncertainties, one indisputable beacon of hope emerges: our nurses. Beyond nurses' indispensable role in health care, you wield an economic power that transcends conventional metrics. Your dedication, compassion and expertise not only save lives, but also drives significant economic impact, shaping the trajectory of nations and societies.
The backbone of health care
Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare systems worldwide. From bedside care to advanced and complex procedures, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the wellbeing of patients. Your tireless efforts extend beyond medical treatments – you provide emotional support, education and advocacy for patients and their families.
In recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the invaluable contribution of the nursing workforce. You stood on the front lines, risking your lives to battle the virus, often working extended hours under immense pressure. Your resilience and commitment epitomised the essence of care giving, earning you admiration and gratitude globally.
Beyond health care: economic impact
Although the societal value of nursing is evident, its economic significance is often underestimated. Nurses contribute to economic growth and stability in multifaceted ways:
- Job creation: nursing is one of the largest sections of the healthcare workforce, representing millions of jobs worldwide. The demand for skilled nurses continues to rise, driving employment opportunities and generating economic activity
- Productivity and efficiency: nurses enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery systems. Through preventive care, patient education and co-ordination of services, nurses optimise resources and reduce healthcare costs in the long run
- Innovation and research: nurses are at the forefront of healthcare innovation and research. Your insights and experiences inform the development of new treatments, technologies and best practices, fostering continuous improvement within the healthcare industry
- Community wellbeing: beyond the hospital walls, nurses contribute to community health initiatives, disease prevention programmes and public health campaigns. By promoting healthier lifestyles and addressing social determinants of health, they mitigate healthcare costs and enhance overall wellbeing.
Investing in the future
Recognising the economic potential of nursing, governments, organisations and educational institutions are increasingly investing in nursing education, training and professional development. By nurturing a robust nursing workforce, they lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
Moreover, initiatives to address nursing shortages, improve working conditions and enhance career advancement opportunities are essential to retaining talent and maximising the economic benefits of nursing.
Commitment
Nurses are not only the guardians of health but also vital components of economic prosperity. Your unwavering commitment to care transcends borders and enriches societies in profound ways. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let us acknowledge and harness the economic power of care embodied by our nurses, ensuring a brighter future for all.
Let's celebrate with pride the enormous contribution we make
International Nurses Day is a chance to pause and reflect on the enormous contribution that our nursing profession makes across the NHS, health and social care, our communities, and across the globe.
As Chief Nursing Officer for England (CNO), I am so proud of all our nursing colleagues and, as we mark International Nurses Day, I want to express my personal gratitude for all that you do.
Every single day, nursing colleagues make such a difference to so many patients and their families. Through the care we give, our clinical decision-making, our leadership, our nurse-led research, we make a difference to people's lives. Our diverse and highly skilled profession continues to adapt and innovate to improve outcomes and experiences for those we care for and the communities we serve.
Nurses, alongside midwives, nursing associates and support workers, have always been at the heart of our NHS and are such an integral part of our workforce.
As many of you will know, this will be my last time celebrating International Nurses Day as CNO. I recently announced that, after 5 years in this role and a career of almost 40 years in the NHS, I will be retiring later this year.
My role as CNO has undoubtedly, been the highlight of my career and has been a privilege. Although recent years have been the most challenging for the NHS and for our professions, nurses, midwives, nursing associates and health and care support staff have together achieved so much. I am and always will be proud to be a nurse.
On Saturday 11 May, the day before International Nurses Day, I will be demonstrating my pride as I join colleagues across the UK to take part in parkrun. This is not only a fantastic way to mark our annual international day of recognition, but it is also a great way for us to get more active, socialise and think about our own health and wellbeing, as well as encourage others to do the same.
There's still time to register for your local parkrun event. Whether you walk, jog or run the course, volunteer to support an event or come along to cheer on others, I hope you will get involved: www.parkrun.org.uk/register
International Nurses Day 2024
The day is commemorated around the world on 12 May – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birthday – to mark the contribution of all nurses to health care and society, with celebrations usually following a theme chosen by the International Council of Nurses.
This year, the 59th Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service takes place on Wednesday 15 May at Westminster Abbey. The main part of the service involves a procession, with a Florence Nightingale Foundation scholar and two escorts carrying a burning lamp through the Abbey, which is then placed on the altar. The lamp symbolises Florence Nightingale, who was known as the Lady with the Lamp, as she made her night-time rounds at Scutari Hospital checking on wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.