New strategy to steer nursing and midwifery at NGH

Northampton General Hospital’s most senior nurse has hailed the launch of a new strategy as defining moment for the nursing and midwifery professions at the hospital.

Nearly 2,000 nurses, midwives and health care assistants were directly involved in the development of Our Journey to Pathway to Excellence, the hospital’s nursing and midwifery strategy launched today.

It follows a three-month consultation period where nurses and midwives contributed their ideas and suggestions via suggestions boxes, consultation meetings and workshops.

"Journey towards excellence"
Carolyn Fox, director of nursing, midwifery and patient services, said: “This strategy is like no other. It is a unique collaboration resulting in a truly shared vision for nursing and midwifery, by our nurses and midwives.

“It captures everything they feel is important to build and support the skills and leadership needed for now and the future. It sets the professions of nursing and midwifery in Northampton on a clear journey towards excellence.”

Principles
The three-year strategy sets out the principles underpinning the delivery of nursing and midwifery services at the hospital:

• Excellence in patient care
• Building and strengthening leadership at all levels
• Recognising the work of nurses and midwives
• Protecting and promoting wellbeing in a positive practice environment
• Providing opportunities to develop skills and knowledge empowering nursing and midwifery teams to make decisions about clinical practice
• Establishing nursing and midwifery roles that are fit for the future

Pathway to Excellence
The strategy follows the announcement earlier this year that the hospital has become the first NHS hospital in the UK to sign up to an internationally-recognised programme for nursing and midwifery standards.

The Pathway to Excellence programme recognises hospitals for the quality of patient care and professional satisfaction of the nurses and midwives who work in them. The programme is delivered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Carolyn Fox, director of nursing, midwifery and patient services, said: “Achieving Pathway to Excellence designation will be a huge milestone for us. We chose to adopt this programme because it mirrors exactly what we’re working to achieve here in Northampton, a culture where our nurses and midwives feel inspired and valued and where we aim to deliver the best possible care for our patients. It opens up exciting new opportunities to learn from a global community of healthcare settings, all sharing a common aim of achieving excellent standards of care.”