This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Nursing takes on new roles
28/06/2004
A new framework to support the expansion of the
traditional roles of NHS nurses will be launched today.
Latest figures show that 1,200 specialist nurses are in
lead clinical roles around Scotland and together with the
current levels of qualified nurses working in NHSScotland -
the highest ever level and an increase of over 1,000 on
last year - demonstrate the opportunities available, the
National Convention on Nursing and Midwifery
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"NHSScotland more than ever now provides both those
working as nurses and midwives and those considering
entering the profession more variety, flexibility,
leadership, and importantly career development, in the
roles they undertake, working within healthcare teams to
deliver effective care for all patients.
"Today's figures on clinical nurse specialists reveal
what we already knew from experience, that more and more
nurses are working as specialists in a range of areas,
helping to manage and redesign services for the benefit of
patients.
"They are leading developments in areas such as
palliative care, cardiac care and mental health.
"In the past, however, nursing roles have not always
been developed in a co-ordinated way.
"The Framework for Developing Nursing Roles will mean
that in future traditional nursing roles can be expanded
and developed in a way which meets the needs of patients
and ensures effective regional planning. It will allow NHS
staff at all levels, whether nurses or managers, to
identify where specialist nurses' skills could be used to
enhance patient care.
"Such developments are vital in attracting people into
the profession and enhancing the opportunities for those
already in the profession and I am sure will help increase
numbers further.
"Indeed, the latest number of student intake places
ensures that we continue to maintain the number of people
entering nurse education at record high levels.
"We are also succeeding in attracting more nurses back
to the profession through our Return to Practice scheme,
which has so far attracted more than 400 people back to
nursing and midwifery.
"These and other initiatives, for example offering
healthcare assistants alternative routes into nursing, or
the Partnership Agreement commitment to expand the role of
nurse consultants, are contributing to making nursing a
more attractive profession, and are helping us progress
towards our aim of recruiting and retaining an additional
12,000 nurses by 2007."
Pat Dawson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at RCN
Scotland, said:
"RCN Scotland is delighted to contribute to this
exciting conference and to the consultation on nursing role
development in Scotland.
"This framework brings considerable potential as a
usable tool for nurses to develop their skills and
roles.
"We know that thousands of nurses take great pride in
doing their best to deliver patient focused services. This
Framework should see nurses central to the modernisation of
the health service."
econd National Convention on Nursing and Midwifery. The
new framework will now go out to consultation.
Over 400 people have returned to practice since March
2002 through the Executive's Return to Practice scheme.
Student Nurse Intake Planning is an annual exercise
undertaken by the Executive with the NHS and partnership
organisations to determine planning for the number of new
student nurses and midwives required for training places at
Higher Education Institutions. This year's recommended
student intake level was 3,995, an increase from the all
time high intake last year of 3,935.