In February the Ministerial Strategic Group for Health and Community Care, in its final report on the Review of Progress with Integration of Health and Social Care, emphasised the need to better understand, co-ordinate and utilise “the key role of clinical and professional leadership in supporting the Integration Authority to make decisions that are safe and in accordance with required standards and law.”
The framework will support the nurse board member of the IA to develop their role in this regard, and provide national consistency on what is required in the role, as well as ongoing support to the nurse leaders currently working in the role.
The competencies have been developed jointly by the Royal College of Nursing, the Scottish Executive Nurse Directors group (SEND) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES), in collaboration with IA nurse board members.
Commenting on the new framework, Theresa Fyffe, Director, RCN Scotland said that integration has radically changed how health and social care services are planned and delivered in Scotland.
“We know from working with IA nurse board members since the launch of integration in 2015 just how challenging their role can be,” said Theresa. “They are in the midst of an ever-shifting landscape requiring new ways of working with many partners who may have different priorities, organisational cultures and ways of doing things. This new framework will help them navigate these sometimes tricky waters with greater confidence."
Eddie Docherty, Director of Nursing NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS 24, representing SEND, said: “This significant piece of work, carried out in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing and NES reflects the importance we all place on the voice of nursing within the integrated landscape. We are hopeful that these competencies reflect the skills and abilities required to function effectively in this complex environment.”
Karen Wilson, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions, NES, said: “At NHS Education for Scotland, we wish to support the education and development of nurses working across Scotland and in all environments. That is why we were keen to be involved in developing this resource for nurses working in Integrated Authorities, which will support them in this important role.”
Notes
- The RCN has also developed an integration toolkit which is designed to support nurse leaders to make complex decisions about the redesign of integrated health and social care services.
- The competencies and proficiencies set out in the framework focus on the leadership pillar of the four pillars of practice contained in the national Post-Registration Career Development Framework.
