Deputy outlines CNO's ten new nursing commitments

Increasing the visibility of nursing leadership is a key commitment in the chief nursing officer’s (CNO) new framework for England.

Speaking at the Florence Nightingale Foundation annual conference in London last week, deputy CNO Hilary Garrett outlined ten draft commitments.

Ms Garrett said there was still pride in the 6Cs, but also a recognition that the care landscape was ‘rapidly changing’.

She said: ‘Challenges are different now, pressures on the system are great and we need to deal with this with collective attention and focus.

‘There is no shortage of ambition about how influential nurses and midwives can be in leading change.’

Ms Garrett added that everyone in the healthcare system has a role to play in leadership, no matter what their position.

Northern Ireland CNO Charlotte McArdle told nurses that professionalism is ‘the glue that unites practice’, adding: 'It is time to really focus on professionalism and support our nurses and midwives.’

She said all four UK CNOs were working on bringing the new NMC code of practice to life.

‘It underpins the delivery of safe and effective care. This should provide consistency across all settings and countries to encourage professionalism.’

Ms McArdle said she will chair a new strategic board set up by the CNOs, which will publish resources to help nurses uphold the code’s values.

Wales CNO Jean White said her country’s focus on ‘prudent healthcare’ would ensure the nation was healthy and prosperous. She said this was not about rationing, but about choosing wisely and working with the public to make the health system sustainable.

Meanwhile, Scotland's CNO Fiona McQueen said there were opportunities in health and social care integration for nurses in all settings and levels to work as leaders.

Draft of the ten commitments for England:

1. We will promote a culture where improving the population’s health is a core component of the practice of all nursing and midwifery staff.
2. We will increase the visibility of nursing and midwifery leadership and input into prevention.
3. We will work with people, families and communities to equip them to make informed choices and manage their own health.
4. We will be centred on individuals experiencing care.
5. We will work in partnership with people, their families, carers and others important to them.
6. We will actively respond to what matters most to our staff and colleagues.
7. We will evidence the impact of what we do.
8. We will have the right education, training and development to enhance our skills, knowledge and understanding.
9. We will have the right staff, in the right places and at the right time.
10. We will maximise opportunities to use technology.