2008 briefings and analysis
The Policy Unit has produced briefings on a wide range of issues which affect nurses and nursing. The briefings listed below are those produced in 2008.
Some files on this page are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
Consent to access, share and create e-health records (PDF, 112KB)
This briefing lays out the background to the development of e-health records and offers guidance for nurses in practice on what implications this has for record keeping and in particular, consent to access, share and create records. This is one of series of products being commissioned by the e-health project board to meet the needs of nurses in practice in respect of e-health.
Nursing content of electronic patient / client records (PDF, 44.4KB)
This policy statement reflects our current understanding of the critical factors required for ensuring that nursing content of electronic patient records. It details the six features which the RCN considers to be crucial elements of any electronic records to ensure that they truly reflect the contribution of a key part of the health care workforce - nurses.
Hospital Organisation and Management Factors in Infection Control: King's College London Scoping Review (PDF 389KB). Health care associated infections (HCAIs) are now one the top five priority issues in the NHS 2007-8 operating framework. However, the supporting evidence base for effective interventions to prevent HCAIs is not clear-cut. The RCN therefore commissioned King's College London to undertake this independent structured review of the literature regarding organisational factors that impact on HCAIs at ward level to bring some clarification to those engaged in tackling the issue.
National Demential Strategy: On the 19 June 2008, the Department of Health launched a Draft National Dementia Strategy for England for public consultation until the 11 September 2008. The strategy presents a unique opportunity for nurses to positively influence improvements in the quality of care people with dementia and their family carers receive and to ensure dignity is central to the way care is delivered. The RCN Nursing Department is leading the response to the consultation and intends to consult widely with RCN members so that you can inform our response. Your views and experiences will directly inform the formal RCN response. We have prioritised some of the DH consultation questions and invite you to respond to these. Please go to: Briefing on the Draft National Dementia Strategy for England Consultation.
Next Stage Review - Darzi Report: On 30 June 2008, Lord Ara Darzi’s final report on the future of the NHS was published. This landmark report was intended to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the NHS and to set out a vision of the way forward for NHS services over the next 10 years. The purpose of this RCN policy brief on the Darzi Report (PDF 96KB) is to provide an ‘at a glance’ summary of the key points raised in each of the four NHS Next Step Review documents (published between 30 June and 03 July 2008) and also the RCN policy response. The RCN will be discussing with members the issues and implications for nurses and nursing of all four documents over the coming months and there is a specific consultation in respect of the draft NHS Constitution and members are asked to refer to the separate policy briefing on the RCN website - www.rcn.org.uk/aboutus/policy/projects/constitution. If you wish to comment on the issues in this briefing then please contact us at policycontacts@rcn.org.uk.
Funding Nurse Education: Nursing is at a unique point in its history given the proposals to reshape and reform education, workforce and service provision. There are therefore real opportunities at the moment to take control and design the nursing profession of the future that we want and need, as well as identifying and implementing the steps to achieve that goal.
The policy discussion paper, Funding Nurse Education (PDF 103KB), authored by Jane Naish and Professor David Sines, looks at some of the key and contemporary issues in the funding of pre registration nursing education that require urgent debate and resolution. An evening seminar was held at the RCN headquarters in London and both the presentation of the paper and subsequent discussion can be downloaded here: Funding Nurse Education powerpoint presentation (PDF 76KB); Summary of the FNE Seminar discussion (PDF 79KB).
Next Stage Review Engagement Event Report (PDF 42K): On Tuesday 1 April 2008, the RCN held an engagement event - as part of the Next Stage Review - to discuss four key themes, specifically leadership, quality improvement, primary and community care and workforce. Delegates ranged from ward managers, nurse directors, allied health professionals, nurse academics, nurse consultants and midwives. Within each theme a specific question was considered that we anticipate will progress the debate and make a valuable contribution to the Next Stage Review. Each working group was facilitated and the results fed back to the entire delegate audience. This report sets out the questions for discussion and the key themes that emerged during the course of the roundtable discussions.
Towards a Strategy to Support Volunteering in Health and Social Care (PDF 48KB): This briefing outlines the consultation currently being carried out by the Department of Health aimed at improving volunteer support and opportunities in the NHS, social care and third sector within England.
The consultation document proposes a long-term strategy to support volunteering in health and social care, intended to articulate the key actions needed to address the perceived obstacles to making a refreshed vision for volunteering in health and social care a reality.
The consultation will run until 30 September 2008, with the Department of Health setting out a final strategy and implementation plan early in 2009.
Consultation on the Long Term Futre of England's Social Care System (PDF 63KB): On 12 May 2008, Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson launched a public debate about the long term future of England’s care and support system. A six month engagement process has now started with the public and all those involved in care and support for adults to set out clearly the case for reform and to consult on a number of questions. The responses to these questions will inform the development of a number of reform options, to be set out in the Green paper to be published in early 2009. The attached briefing is intended as an introduction to the issue of social care and the Policy Unit would like to receive comments from as many members as possible on this high profile and important issue - policycontacts@rcn.org.uk
Framework for the Registration of Health and Adult Social Care Providers (PDF 73KB): The Department of Health launched a consultation to seek views on the registration of health and adult social care providers, including the regulation of primary care services to ensure patients continue to receive safe, good quality care closer to home. The document entitled 'A consultation on the framework for the registration of health and adult social care providers' puts forward proposals on which services will be required to register with the new regulator and the requirements that they will need to meet. This document summarises the RCN's response to the consultation.
Congress 2008: Policy overview (PDF 21KB): A short policy briefing highlighting the common policy themes for this year's congress.
Individual Budgets (PDF 100KB): This briefing provides details of Individual Budgets (IBs) and their implications for nurses, people needing care and their carers. It also contains a number of references for those wishing to know more about the scheme. Individual budgets have been referred to in various Department of Health documents such as 'Commissioning for Well Being' and the 'Operating Framework'. If you are involved with the Individual Budgets pilot schemes and wish to contribute to RCN policy in this area, please contact us: policycontacts@rcn.org.uk.
White Paper on Empowerment (PDF 32KB): This short briefing introduces the forthcoming White Paper on Empowerment to be published in summer 2008 and gives and early indication of the range and nature of active citizenship questions to be considered. The Department for Communities and Local Government is taking the lead on promoting a wider range of engagement at local councillor level. Several prompt questions are raised for members to consider and to send early views to the Policy Unit. These wil be submitted to the Department for Communities and Local Government and will inform the content of the White Paper. Further briefing material will be made available when the White Paper is published.