England’s CNO set to launch new nursing framework

Jane Cummings, England’s chief nursing officer (CNO), is set to unveil a new framework for nurses, midwives and care workers, to drive care profession forward and reduce unwarranted variation in health and care provision.

The new framework, named Leading Change, Adding Value, is centred on 10 commitments which include having the ‘right staff in the right places at the right time’, leading research to show the impact of practice, and increasing the visibility of nurse and midwife leadership and input in prevention.

Cummings explained that the new framework would retain the previous strategy of the ‘6Cs’ nursing values - care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment. Cummings also confirmed that the framework would support nurses in delivering the aims of NHS England’s Five Year Forward View.

In an interview with the Nursing Times, Cummings said: “The last strategy – although it was talking about the whole system – in reality it was predominantly picked up by the NHS. This time we’ve made a real effort to engage with social care, other care settings, academics and the whole system.

“It’s about how we can work together and, importantly, how we can evidence the impact. If you’re working in a local authority or being commissioned by one, being able to demonstrate the impact of the work you’re doing is significant.

She added: “The key thing for me about the framework is about a recognition of the role that nurses, midwives and care staff play. It’s about reminding them and everybody else what it is and the potential we’ve got. Secondly it’s about recognising that you can start small but have a big impact.”