Nursing and Midwifery Excellence

As part of the Shared Governance: Collective Leadership Programme, NHS England are supporting the first national cohort of organisations to go on to apply to join the global Pathway to Excellence® accreditation.

The global programme is a ‘nursing excellence’ framework, aiming to create a positive practice environment for nursing staff that improves nurse satisfaction and retention. During the COVID-19 pandemic nursing and midwifery professionals have played and continue to play a critical role in the COVID-19 response; using their experience, skills and leadership to drive forwards transformational change where it is needed most. As we move forwards, this collective leadership has been recognised as fundamental to supporting practice; and the wellbeing of our colleagues, our patients and our communities.

The global programme aligns with Chief Nursing Officer for England’s national vision to establish an England-wide collective leadership model with a focus on transformational leadership, research and innovation.

“One of my key priorities as CNO is to empower all nurses, midwives and care staff to be involved in shared professional decision-making and collective leadership within their organisations. Every single one of us has experience and influence that can be used to effect change and to contribute to delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan. The global Pathway to Excellence® programme is recognised globally as enabling nursing excellence, instilling a strong sense of professional pride and offers proven strategies to help ensure that the care that we deliver to our patients and populations is of the highest calibre”.

Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England.

In this film, listen to colleagues discuss what nursing and midwifery excellence and collective leadership means to them. To find out more follow @teamCNO_ with #teamCNO #1ProfessionalVoice.