CNO launches vision to ‘unite’ nursing workforce in Wales

The chief nursing officer (CNO) for Wales has launched a new strategic vision to ‘unite’ the workforce and encourage innovation over the next five years.

Led by Sue Tranka, the five-year ‘strategic mission’ for nursing and midwifery emphasises the importance of prevention and a ‘community focus’ in care delivery.

The five-year vision was developed using a survey of more than 800 nurse respondents from Wales, as well as webinars and focus groups with early-career and late-career professionals, service users, and young people, and is divided into six strategic themes.

Ms Tranka told Nursing in Practice: ‘This vision empowers primary care and community-based nurses to take on expanded roles, work in partnership across health and social care and drive innovation that helps people stay well, independent and connected.

‘By investing in and valuing our community and primary care nursing workforce, we are creating a stronger, fairer, and healthier Wales.’

Related Article: Five-year ‘vision’ for nursing and midwifery in Wales to be launched next month 

How will the strategy be introduced?

Each theme will be accompanied by a ‘summit’ which will involve a lead from government policy, an executive director and the nursing officers from the CNOs team.

‘These forums will identify key issues, share learning, and guide focused work to drive progress across Wales,’ the CNO has said.

‘AI, genomics, and precision nursing will feature strongly across our summits, reflecting the evolving science and technology shaping modern practice.’

Nursing in Practice reported on the vision’s anticipated launch earlier this year, with the deputy chief nursing officer (DCNO) for Wales, Gillian Knight, announcing the themes of the upcoming blueprint at a Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) event in London last month.

The strategy aligns with the Welsh Government’s ‘A Healthier Wales’ – a 10-year Health and Care strategy that was launched in October 2020.

Related Article: Nurses must ‘stand together’ against discrimination, says CNO

Central to the plan is the focus on wellbeing, inclusion, Welsh language and retention in the nursing and midwifery workforce.

Duncan Burton, the chief nursing officer (CNO) for England is separately developing a new professional strategy for nursing and midwifery professionals that was first announced earlier in the summer.

In August, the government in England launched its ‘Graduate Guarantee’ for nursing and midwifery, with the promise of providing more jobs for newly qualified nurses and midwives by converting healthcare support worker posts into registered nursing positions ‘where suitable’.