RCN welcomes Health Committee support for ward sisters

Published: 04 December 2009

The RCN has welcomed a call from the Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee for increased powers for ward sisters, charge nurses and nursing ward managers in order to help improve hospital hygiene.

At its meeting on Thursday 3 December, the Committee agreed the tabling of an Assembly motion calling on Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety Michael McGimpsey MLA to provide nursing ward managers with the necessary support and authority to do their work effectively. The motion follows the recent publication by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority of a series of reports on standards of hygiene in Northern Ireland's hospitals, some of which were highly critical. Health Committee Vice-Chair Michelle O'Neill MLA said: "It appears to us when we speak to the Royal College of Nursing that nurses aren't given the power to do the job they are employed to do. They have to jump through hoops of bureaucracy, for example when bringing in extra nurses as needed. What we're saying is cut through all that nonsense and let's support our nurses to do the job they're employed to do."

RCN Northern Ireland Deputy Director Garrett Martin said: "Ward sisters and charge nurses have a pivotal role within the health service to ensure that wards are clean, fit for purpose and that patients receive the highest quality of care. For some time, the RCN has been concerned that ward managers have not been given appropriate levels of authority to be able to organise simple tasks such as cleaning when required and ensuring the correct level of staffing in a timely manner.

"Whilst it is important that budgets are adhered to and staff are mindful of efficiencies, it is also crucial that ward managers do not have to go through several tiers of bureaucracy to get anything done. We welcome the Health Committee motion that ward managers must be given the support and authority to do their work effectively and agree that greater emphasis on clinical leadership and team working will work towards improving hygiene and infection control practice.

"There is a direct relationship between effective nurse staffing and standards of hygiene and we believe through improving staffing levels and reducing the administrative burden on ward managers that they will be free to focus on core safety, quality and patient experience and to take responsibility for the training and development of their teams."

Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety Michael McGimpsey MLA said that he will ensure ward sisters and domestic cleaning staff are given every support to help them drive up hospital cleanliness and hygiene standards. The Minister confirmed that a £2 million investment to support ward managers that he announced at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards in June would now be released, having been delayed because of budgetary factors and swine flu contingency measures. He also announced a £60,000 pilot scheme to ensure more effective cleaning of wards. Four hospital wards will be selected for the pilot, which will involve cleaners ensuring that equipment and surfaces that are regularly touched, such as door handles, are cleaned even more frequently.

The Minister said: "Health care associated infections such as MRSA and C difficile have fallen by some 30% over the last 18 months, which is very welcome news. Recent hygiene reports have also shown improvements in standards in some hospitals but not all.  While this is encouraging, I am disappointed that there were some examples of poor performance and I am determined to ensure that all hospitals reach high standards of cleanliness."