NMC responds to Skills for Care’s report

Andrea Sutcliffe comments on the Skills for Care ‘The size and structure of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report.

“It’s disappointing that the number of nurses working in social care has dropped again, especially at a time when they’re needed more than ever.  Adult social care nurses make a vital contribution to the provision of person-centred care for thousands of people in the most vulnerable circumstances. This is despite the tremendous pressures and challenges they’ve faced especially in recent years due to the pandemic. 

“We’ve called for a sustainable workforce plan that takes the demand for health and care services into account. It’s essential that this doesn’t just cover NHS and primary care nurses, but all those working in the community, including social care.

“Our new community nursing specialist practice qualifications (SPQ) now include an additional SPQ for community nursing in health and social care.   We hope this new standard will provide greater opportunities to strengthen the position of nurses in adult social care and support their continuing development. Skills for Care report shows why that’s just so important.”

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