Our response to NHS England's new nursing framework

NHS England has today launched their framework for nursing, midwifery and care staff, ‘Leading Change, Adding Value’.

The new framework is designed to support delivery of the Five Year Forward View by encouraging and enabling these staff - in hospital wards, care homes or other settings - to identify where and why there is variation in preventing ill health, care and efficiency.

The framework is supported by 10 staff commitments, three of which have direct relevance to nursing, midwifery and care staff’s relationships with people and communities, and with local Healthwatch:

• “We will work with individuals, families and communities to equip them to make informed choices and manage their own health”

• “We will be centred on individuals experiencing high value care”

• “We will work in partnership with individuals, their families, carers and others important to them”

Speaking after attending the launch, Our Acting National Director, Susan Robinson said:

“Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummings and her team have thought hard about how to make sure this framework and the commitments for staff have a strong focus on what people need and want.

“It’s good to see the framework stressing how important it is for staff to engage effectively with local Healthwatch. This will be an important means of ensuring that the spirit of the commitments drives everyday practice. Local Healthwatch are well placed to have these conversations as their work also spans both health and social care.”