Response to Simon Stevens' speech

"Nurses and midwives have such an important role in health and social care, in people’s communities, and in their lives. Being the regulator of such important and trusted professions is a real privilege.

But focussing on what more we, and the health and care system as a whole, can do to help tackle the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives is one of the most vital contributions we can all make – and supporting the professionalism and pride of nurses and midwives across the UK now, and in the future, has got to be at the heart of that.

Every nurse or midwife we lose has an impact and costs, in terms of both recruiting new people, as well as the opportunity cost of replacing their invaluable experience and knowledge.

I really welcome today’s pledge to prioritise continuing professional development as being not only the right thing to do for nurses and midwives who love seeing the difference they make for people, but as the most effective thing to do too.

Working together we – regulators, nurses, midwives and their employers, the public and our partners – can help provide the right conditions where nurses and midwives feel valued and can truly thrive and flourish.”

Read Simon Stevens' speech in full

 

 

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