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Power to Care Campaign
Nursing Standard has launched a new campaign to boost the authority and status of ward sisters and charge nurses.
Power to Care wants all ward managers to have:
- A supervisory role - to oversee care, teach and support staff
- Authority to match responsibility - to order equipment or staff without a manager's approval
- Administrative support - a ward clerk as part of their team
- Housekeeping support in their team
- Managerial support from their director of nursing
- Equal status to consultant and specialist nurses
- Appropriate preparation for role
Power to Care calls for more support for the estimated 24,000 NHS nurses managing clinical teams. Independent sector ward managers need to be added to this figure.
Power to Care will highlight health organisations that are already delivering for ward managers. The campaign's focus will be hospitals but it will also examine the equivalent role in the community. We will ask experts what measures are required to push for change locally - and nationally.
Responding to the campaign launch, a Department of Health spokesperson said: 'We recognise the ward sister or charge nurse role as key to the organisation of hospital nursing and high quality patient care, combining management, clinical expertise, education and teaching.
'However, it is for local NHS organistations to determine how much authority is delegated, taking into account their nurses' skills, training and existing workloads'.
Be part of future campaign coverage
Do you remember a ward sister or charge nurse who inspired you in your career?
Please email: adele.waters@rcnpublishing.co.uk
We may feature you in our future campaign coverage.
Give us your views
Are you a ward sister?
What are the main challenges you face?
What one factor would improve your working life?
Overall, do you enjoy your job?
Are you a staff nurse?
Do you aspire to becoming a ward leader or have you decided the role is not for you?
Do you believe the role should have higher status and pay?
Are you a student?
What is your career ambition?
Has any ward sister or charge nurse influenced you?
Let us know by writing to:
Adele Waters, Power to Care
Nursing Standard
59-65 Lowlands Road,
Harrow
Middlesex HA1 3AW
Or send an email to: powertocare@rcnpublishing.co.uk
Alternatively you can call the campaigns editor Adele Waters on 0208 872 3162.
Related Links
Ward managers' pay is inconsistent and inadequate
Ward leaders should be empowered to improve standards
Ward leaders to be given up to £2,000 for re-decoration
Power to Care: Endorsements from the RCN & UK Chief Nurses
Easing the step up from junior roles to taking charge of a unit
