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https://socialcare.blog.gov.uk/2023/02/28/wise-councils/

Wise councils

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Information sharing, Innovation, Integrated care, Leadership, Workforce
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"The [social care nursing] advisory councils will bring considerable experience, knowledge, innovation and wisdom to the table to better inform the development of nursing practice across all [health and care] settings." [Image created by freepik.com]

New era of knowledge sharing

What an exciting time for the social care nursing profession! Social care nursing advisory councils have now been launched in every ICB (integrated care board) in England and will be chaired by nursing colleagues from across the sector.

The new councils will allow each Chair to form a board of representatives from the local area. They will work with the Director of Nursing in each ICB to provide a better and wider understanding of nursing right across the health and adult social care sectors.

For me, it’s an honour to be appointed as one of the Chairs. I see my role as supporting efforts to make sure the wider workforce is included in the development of nursing plans across all settings bringing health and social care together.

The advisory group will bring considerable experience, knowledge, innovation and wisdom to the table to better inform the development of nursing practice across all settings.

Chairing quarterly council meetings with the Director of Nursing for the ICB will allow me to invite members from frontline social care staff to facilitate and lead discussions relevant to the sector to help shape and inform delivery of ICS (integrated care system) priorities.

This provides another avenue to evolve the future of the sector, identify challenges and opportunities, and promote joint working across health and social care. ICS nurses now have a “touchstone” with their social care counterparts to share experiences, provide intelligence and promote solutions within local health and care networks.

"[These councils] can also be forums to discuss and problem-solve areas important to social care nurses and the wider sector." [Image created by freepik.com]

Problem solving for better outcomes

This is about encouraging diversity of ideas, listening to each other and acting on the things that will make the most difference. This means not only implementing change but sustaining it across health and social care.

I see the councils as being places to debate and support the exchange of ideas on relevant professional, clinical and operational matters. They can also be forums to discuss and problem-solve areas important to social care nurses and the wider sector, whilst ultimately delivering better outcomes for individuals, populations and our teams.

I have worked in the sector since the age of 13 and spent most of my years in nursing. To be selected to be a chair for one of the advisory councils is an incredible privilege and I look forward to working with the Chief Nurse of my allocated ICB and with colleagues across the sector.

The Florence Nightingale Foundation are providing a development programme to support this fantastic project, which I am very much looking forward to completing.

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5 comments

  1. Comment by Sarah Gashi posted on

    I would love to become involved myself

    • Replies to Sarah Gashi>

      Comment by Zoe Fry posted on

      That sounds great. Please do make contact with me directly if you would like to and we can chat if your in my ICB area or I can pop you in contact with the relevant chair for your area. zoe@theoutstandingsociety.co.uk

  2. Comment by Melissa Stanton posted on

    Great to hear this news, hopefully we can work together.

    • Replies to Melissa Stanton>

      Comment by Zoe Fry posted on

      Thank you Melissa, please do make contact with me directly if you would like to and we can chat if your in my ICB area or I can pop you in contact with the relevant chair for your area. zoe@theoutstandingsociety.co.uk

  3. Comment by Kimberley Borton posted on

    Happy to be invloved, to support, share and network together.