New Alliance network to support nurses’ commissioning role
Released: 11/05/2011
The newly-launched NHS Alliance Nurses in Commissioning Network will serve as a platform for nurses to fully engage and contribute the debate on health reforms and ensure their views and role on clinical commissioning are supported.
Ursula Gallagher, who will be leading the new network, said: “If I had not known it already, the discussions and examples on the day really emphasised that the most effective commissioning will only be done by having all voices, views and perspectives round the table. This is not about tokenism, but about an evidence-based approach to what works. The network will help nurses and midwives to ensure that their essential contribution is understood and valued by GPs, other commissioners and policymakers too.”
Dr Michael Dixon, Chairman of the NHS Alliance, added: “Multi-professional input is essential to successfully improving outcomes for patients. And nurses, along with clinicians and patients, should play a key role in clinical commissioning. This network will allow them to fully engage and contribute to the debate on the health reforms, particularly on clinical commissioning.”
The Nurses in Commissioning Network was launched last week at Hamilton House in London. The event attracted 40 people, including nurses working in primary care, PCT-based nurse leaders, representatives from Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives and specialist nurses/nurse leaders from provider organisations, both NHS and private.
Membership to the Network is open and inclusive to all nurses and midwives, not only those with formal commissioning roles.
Ms Gallagher added: “Interest in our network is gathering pace and we want to encourage more nurses and midwives to join in. Apart from those who attended the launch, we already have another 20 nurses interested in joining.”
The Network will produce a series of papers for the Department of Health by September. These papers will focus on nurses’ role and expertise in relation to their contribution to clinical commissioning in three different settings, namely GP practices, GP commissioning organisations and provider organisations.
Members of network will also contribute to the draft of a full response to the Alliance’s listening exercise, which will gather the views of primary care professionals on the current debate around the Health and Social Care Bill. The Alliance will publish a report on its finding in June.
Ends.
Notes to editors:
1. NHS Alliance brings together GP consortia, PCTs, clinicians and managers as the leading organisation in primary care. We are an independent non-political membership organisation proud to be at the forefront of clinically-led commissioning. Its leaders are all dedicated professionals, who represent the Alliance’s diverse membership, working ceaselessly to meet the challenges facing the NHS today. Find out more at www.nhsalliance.org
2. For more information, please email pressoffice@nhsalliance.org or call 07772756674.