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What is your advice to primary care nurses from
Q your position ? AI would say , stay strong . Look after yourself , from a physical and mental wellbeing perspective . And ensure your views are being heard , because you ’ ve got a lot of value to bring to how we ’ re going to deliver care pathways differently for the future . But you have to be proactive – don ’ t wait to be invited to local area discussions if you think you have something important to contribute .
Nursing is a wonderful profession . It ’ s exceptionally tough at the moment but we need to be resilient , because the skills we have are essential to ensuring people get the best opportunities to have the best outcomes for their health . I really want nurses to recognise just what a valued part of the workforce they are .
Do you see ICBs as a real opportunity for nursing
Q leadership to shine ? AI think there is a huge opportunity . I think we ’ re at the start of a journey , but the benefits of this role are working with all our directors of nursing in each of the provider organisations and strengthening that collective voice of nursing in the ICBs .
I still think there ’ s a lack of strategic thinking . People very much understand what an ICB is , but there is a need for a communication strategy and also organisational development for multidisciplinary teams .
We have the opportunity to reduce some of the bureaucratic burden and get people delivering the services that they want to deliver . And what is going to make a difference is closer working between historically siloed teams to deliver those services more effectively .
Integrated care systems and integrated care boards
What are ICSs ? ICSs , which became legal entities in July , are partnerships in England that bring together NHS organisations , local authorities and third-sector bodies to take on responsibilities for the resources and health of an area . There are 42 ICSs across England , covering populations of 500,000 to three million .
They have been tasked with improving outcomes in population health and healthcare ; tackling inequalities in access ; enhancing productivity and value for money ; and helping the NHS support broader social and economic development .
How can ICBs help to address
Q workforce problems ? AI ’ ve established a group of colleagues from across the system and said , ‘ create something that ’ s going to make it easy for staff ’. That is being driven by feedback from the discharge teams , it ’ s very much ward to board .
Nurses have always been leaders , and I think this is a great opportunity for nurses to be at the forefront . One thing I would ask is for us to be able to encourage more people to consider the benefits of nursing . We need to be ambassadors . That is not easy with the current pressures but it ’ s vital if we want to build a workforce for the future .
What are ICBs ? Each ICS has an integrated care board , which is responsible for developing a plan to meet the health needs of the population , managing the NHS budget and arranging provision of health services in the ICS area .
NHS guidance recommends that ICBs have four executive director roles , including a director of nursing , alongside independent non-executive roles , partner members , and representatives from contributing organisations .
Source : NHS England . Integrated Care Systems : design framework . June 2021 . bit . ly / 3Fg1npl
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