Support for the Principles
The Principles of Nursing Practice are supported by a number of key organisations:
"Patients view and judge their overall experience by the quality of nursing care they receive. High quality care and support is important to patients, relatives and communities. It's important that everyone - staff and patients - know what they can expect from nurses and nursing staff. These Principles reinforce the central role that nurses have and are a reminder of how to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients."
Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer for England.
“The Principles of Nursing Practice provide clarity to patients and their families about what to expect from nursing care, whether it’s delivered by a registered nurse, student nurse or a health care assistant.”
Dickon Weir-Hughes, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
“These eight Principles describe the values on which the profession is based and are a commitment to patients, their families, carers and colleagues. I consider these should be over-arching statements that frame the future of nursing.”
Anne Milton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health in The Government's response to the recommendations in front line care*.
“The Principles set out clearly that dignity, responsibility, patient involvement and safety awareness should form the solid foundation for good nursing practice.”
Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer discusses the PM’s commission on the future of nursing and midwifery at Voicepiece - Framing the future for nursing and midwifery.
More messages of support can be viewed at Patient and user group support.
*Department of Health (2011) The Government's response to the recommendations in front line care: the report of the Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in England
Frontline care was published in March 2010 as the final report of the Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery in England set up by the then Labour Government.
RCN Congress 2011 fringe event: Promoting and implementing the RCN Principles of Nursing Practice
Further support for the Principles was demonstrated at this fringe event at RCN Congress 2011 when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) were both on hand to talk about how the Principles of Nursing Practice correspond with their activities.
The event started with a presentation from the RCN Learning and Development Institute on how the Principles were developed, and how they are being used to support quality nursing care – see How the Principles are being used.
Ann Close, CQC National Professional Advisor then discussed how, in following the Principles, nurses will contribute to achieving essential standards of quality and safety.
Roger Thompson, NMC Director of Nursing and Midwifery Policy and Standards then examined how the Principles fit alongside the NMC code of practice, standards and guidance. These links were further illustrated by a suite of short films that the NMC has produced about nurses responsibilities in safeguarding adults from abuse see Safeguarding adults: an introduction.