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‘Northern Ireland education model could be copied by the rest of the UK’

Northern Ireland’s unique approach to in-service learning and CPD could work in other parts of UK.
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Northern Ireland’s approach to NHS nurse education and continuing professional development (CPD) could be a blueprint for the rest of the UK, says a nurse educator.


CPD provision in Northern Ireland is designed to meet individuals’ specific needs  Photo: iStock

The HSC Clinical Education Centre for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals provides in-service education to 16,500 nurses across the province’s five health and social care trusts.

Small scale, big impact

Speaking at the RCN international centenary conference on 23rd November, the centre’s assistant head Maurice Devine told nurses his is a small service with wide impact that could be replicated in other parts of the UK. The centre has a team of 48 teaching staff and supports CPD in all fields of practice and across specialties.

‘We are very influenced by patient safety expert Don Berwick, as a consequence of failures in care at Mid Staffs,’ said Mr Devine, whose background is in learning disability nursing.

Patient safety

The 2013 Berwick review of patient safety highlighted the potential threat to patient safety if organisations skimp on training to reduce costs.

Mr Devine said: ‘The best way of advancing patient safety is through professional learning. We don’t see our end product as education delivery, we see it as the effect on patient care – that is really important and has helped us establish a culture of quality.’

Courses range from CPD half days to short courses of up to six days’ duration, as well as licensed programmes.

Bespoke training

In 2015-16 there were 40,000 course attendances. The centre’s senior education manager Majella Doran explained nurses’ learning needs are identified in their organisations and then communicated to the office of the chief nursing officer, where a learning analysis is carried out that informs programmes.

Nursing Standard is currently campaigning for access to CPD time for nurses and midwives through the #1hour2empower campaign.


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