Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce

You said:

There is variation in how rosters are developed and it can be perceived as unfair. You would like more say in your roster.

We listened: 

A Rostering Principles Working Group was established and it developed a set of national rostering principles that are currently being agreed at executive level. Once agreed, Health Boards will be asked to adopt them, with implementation and compliance monitored to support a more consistent and equitable approach to rostering across NHS Scotland. 

The finalised rostering principles will be published on this website when available.

You said: 

The paid breaks were not reflected correctly in the staffing level tools.

We listened: 

This was considered within the Working Environment and Work-life Balance Subgroup and the guidance on the definition of a break was considered. Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) proposed amending the break component within the staffing level tools, which was agreed. HIS will now progress with this update.

You said: 

Support roles have evolved significantly since the introduction of the Code in 2009, in terms of a change in service delivery, workforce models and expectations, and it needs to be updated.

We listened: 

The Taskforce recognised support workers as a critical part of the multidisciplinary team around nursing and midwifery. A refreshed Code is an opportunity to better support education, career progression and pathways into registered nursing and midwifery roles, as well as clearer task delegation and a safer working environment. A Directors Letter has been drafted, as an update of the previous version. It is being approved at executive level and will be issued in due course.

You said: 

More routes into nursing and midwifery education are needed, including earn as you learn and distance options.

We listened:

There are a number of Tests of Change taking place at Scottish Colleges and Universities (11 in nursing and options are being assessed for midwifery). You can find information on the proposals here. We will update this section more fully next quarter once the first year has been reviewed.

You said: 

Staff do not want to be moved unless it is strictly necessary and processes could be put in place to make them feel more supported in this.

We listened: 

Staff move guidance is being developed to ensure that staff being moved to work in other areas feel safe in their practice. This guidance is currently being developed by the Scottish Executive Nurse Directors group and will be published on this website once agreed.

You said: 

Nursing and midwifery careers need a positive marketing strategy to recruit more people to the profession

We listened: 

We commissioned a report on perceptions of nursing and midwifery careers from the Centre for Workforce Supply, within Public Services Delivery Scotland. The findings from the report are informing targeted marketing activity. 

It is clear that more emphasis on the dynamic and diverse career options that are available within nursing and midwifery need to be made much clearer to those who may be interested in the career.