Around 35 practice educators will soon be in post across hospitals in Northern Ireland thanks to the new investment. Their role is to support the learning and assessment of students and work closely with student mentors.
Speaking ahead of the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) ‘Nurse of the Year’ awards ceremony in Belfast tonight, the minister said: “Nurses are the backbone of our health and social care service – the work they do affects everyone in Northern Ireland at some point in their lives.
“Over the past year, the health and social care service has been undergoing a period of transformation and reform. This change has not just been about building new structures. Patients have benefited from a dramatic improvement in waiting times for a range of services, from hip operations to cancer treatment. Nurses have been key in delivering these improvements which is why I want to see your role valued and developed.
“Student nurses are our investment in the future but our future health and social care service will be very different. We are already witnessing a shift away from hospitals and a greater focus on community nursing. Our student nurses must be equipped with all the necessary skills and expertise to deliver these new services.
“That is why I am investing £2m annually in new practice educators. They will be fully qualified nurses who are dedicated to supporting student nurses and help them through their final placements.”
As well as announcing the new practice educator posts, the minister said he would also be doing more to support ward sisters.
He continued: “Ward sisters play a crucial role within our hospitals, often working in busy pressurised areas. The public rightly looks to ward sisters to set and uphold high standards of care. That is why I have agreed to look at this area seriously and have asked the Chief Nursing Officer to produce a report to see what extra support can be provided.
“In addition, my department will also work with the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council and the RCN to produce standards for the patient, client and care experience in Northern Ireland.
“The next ten years will bring an even greater pace of change and challenges. The success of the reforms will depend on the contribution of nurses. As Health Minister, I will ensure nurses have every possible support to deliver a world class health and social care service.”
Notes to editors:
1. A total of £1million will be committed this year followed by a recurrent £2million investment to secure the appointment of senior nurses and midwives who will support those who mentor students in training.
2. This better governance and support to students during their training will improve quality of care.
3. It is expected that recruitment will start in the Autumn.
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