A Code, not an enigma
Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer England, looks ahead to tomorrow’s launch of the revised professional Code for nurses and midwives.
This year marks 33 years since I first joined the register of nurses and midwives, which is now regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and agreed to abide by the Code of professional standards of practice and behaviour.
Tomorrow marks a step change in our code, which will support revalidation.
The revision follows extensive consultation, as a response to changes and developments in practice, and wider expectations of health and care staff. The requirements apply not only to nurses and midwives involved in direct care-giving roles, but to all in leadership, education, research and policy.
The Code reflects the fundamentals of care which patients have told us they expect. The four themes are:
- Prioritise people
- Practice effectively
- Preserve safety
- Promote professionalism and trust
New sections include a focus on the professional duty of candour and a responsibility to raise concerns. This is timely, as whistleblowing has been the subject of considerable attention recently.
I encourage you to read and use the Code as a basis for your work and to see the revalidation requirements as a positive opportunity to consider how you are making continuous improvements in the quality and safety of care, and to support your ongoing development. Every day I see great examples of the difference our professions are making to so many, and how much this is appreciated. The revalidation exercise will enable us all to give this the thought and time it deserves. By preparing well, collecting evidence and reflecting on your 450 hours of practice and 40 hours of continuous professional development, you will see benefits for you, your colleagues and patients.
I endorse the revised Code not only as a nurse and Chief Nursing Officer for England, but because I see how the standards in it reflect the 6Cs and place patients, whom we are privileged to serve, at the heart of all we do.
Professor Jane Cummings
Professor Jane Cummings is the Chief Nursing Officer for England and Executive Director at NHS England.
Jane specialised in emergency care and has held a wide variety of roles across the NHS including Director of Commissioning, Director of Nursing and Deputy Chief Executive.
In February 2004, she became the national lead for emergency care agreeing and implementing the 98% operational standard. She has also worked as the nursing advisor for emergency care. In January 2005, she was appointed as the National Implementation Director for ‘Choice’ and ‘Choose and Book’.
Jane moved to NHS North West in November 2007 where she held executive responsibility for the professional leadership of nursing, quality, performance as well as QIPP, commissioning and for a time Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In October 2011, she was appointed to the role of Chief Nurse for the North of England SHA Cluster.
She was appointed as Chief Nursing Officer for England in March 2012 and started full time in June 2012. Jane is the professional lead for all nurses and midwives in England (with the exception of public health) and published the ‘6Cs’ and ‘Compassion in Practice’ in December 2012, followed by publishing the ‘Leading Change, Adding Value’ framework in May 2016.
Jane has executive oversight of maternity, patient experience, learning disability and, in January 2016, became executive lead for Patient and Public Participation.
She was awarded Doctorates by Edge Hill University and by Bucks New University, and she is a visiting professor at Kingston University and St George’s University, London.
She is also Director and trustee for Macmillan Cancer Support and a clinical Ambassador for the Over the Wall Children’s Charity where she volunteers as a nurse providing care for children affected by serious illnesses.
Follow Jane on Twitter: @JaneMCummings.