Joint nursing and midwifery leaders' statements on expanding the health and care workforce in the COVID-19 pandemic

Nursing and midwifery leaders across the UK have set out clear actions in response to today’s (Thursday 19 March) announcement to make sure as many people with the right skills and knowledge can contribute to the fight against COVID-19.

• Read the actions we have all agreed in respect of expanding the nursing workforce.
• Read the actions we have all agreed in respect of expanding the midwifery workforce.

Commenting on the joint response, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“The health and care service in the UK is facing an unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic and the nursing and midwifery professions are at the heart of the response to this. Thank you to everyone involved.

“As the regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK, and nursing associates in England, we have been working hard with our key partners, the UK Government and administrations in each UK country to support the response to the coronavirus pandemic. I am very grateful for the positive way everyone has engaged to come to these solutions.

“The invaluable skills, knowledge and dedication of our former nurses and midwives – and the contribution of those nursing students in the final six months of their courses – will make an incredible difference for many people in need of care and support.

“These are immensely challenging and difficult times facing our health and social care workforce, but through working together, we will get through this. Thank you once again to everyone involved.”

Further information will be regularly updated on our website: www.nmc.org.uk/covid19

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