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NHS Digital backs RCN’s ‘every nurse an e-nurse’ campaign

NHS digital has endorsed the RCN’s ‘every nurse an e-nurse’ campaign and has pledged to play a supporting role in realising the campaign’s ambition.
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NHS digital has endorsed the RCN’s ‘every nurse an e-nurse’ campaign and has pledged to play a supporting role in realising the campaign’s ambition.

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The endorsement was made as NHS Digital, which aims to improve health and social care through better use of technology and data, launched its first e-nursing week in support of the campaign for a digital-ready workforce. 

At RCN congress in 2016, a resolution was passed that, by 2020, every UK nurse should be an e-nurse.

The debate concerned how effective use of information and digital technologies enables the delivery of better health and social care, now and in the future.

NHS Digital said that its commitment to making every nurse an e-nurse is aligned to Leading Change, Adding Value, the framework for nursing, midwifery and care staff launched by England’s chief nurse Jane Cummings in May last year.

The framework includes a commitment to ‘championing the use of technology and informatics to improve practice, address unwarranted variations and enhance outcomes’.

Technology, such as e-medicines, electronic observations and electronic patient records, can play a major part in improving experiences and outcomes, and ensuring better use of resources.

Bedrock of care

NHS Digital chief nurse Anne Cooper said: ‘Nurses are the bedrock of health and care – so much is asked of them and yet they consistently deliver world class care for their patients.

‘The RCN is right to place such a priority on ensuring nurses across the NHS have the tools, skills and resources they need to make the best use of technology and act as effective e-nurses.

‘We are pleased to endorse this campaign, and commit to working alongside them and other partners to play our role in delivering their ambition of making every nurse an e-nurse by 2020.

‘NHS Digital’s products and services are helping to transform many of the facets of nursing, midwifery and care across the country. 

‘From electronic patient records, which have allowed nurses, midwives and care staff to use mobile working, to enabling safe sharing of data, such as through our Child Protection Information Sharing project, we are delivering 21st century solutions to enabling improved patient care in the digital age.’

From today, NHS Digital will highlight various elements of e-nursing, including use of technology at bedsides, data-sharing, digital security and the role of apps and wearables in changing care.

RCN general secretary Janet Davies said: ‘Digital skills are key to harnessing these chances, and the RCN is pleased to be working with NHS Digital for the benefit of the whole nursing workforce and their patients.

‘Technology and data are transforming healthcare, and presenting huge opportunities to improve treatment, patient safety and wellbeing. It is vital that nurses have the skills they need to make the most of these opportunities, and that is what this project is all about.’


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