Speaking up for Wales
Released on - 22/06/2009 Author - AfPP
AfPP President, Diane Gilmour and Susan Pirie Professional Officer met with Rosemary Kennedy Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Wales and Nursing Officer Denise Richardson on the 21st May. The meeting had a varied Agenda and a wide range of topics were discussed, including issues raised by practitioners in Wales.
The 1000 lives campaign and the introduction of the sign in, time out and sign out campaigns were discussed, including the positive reception that these campaigns had received in Wales and the rest of the UK.
Another element of patient safety that has been of concern to AfPP and other professional bodies has been the development of an Obstetric Concordat Consensus Statement, which is due to be printed imminently. This document addresses a number of concerns in relation to the care of the obstetric patient in the perioperative environment. The CNO welcomed this Statement as additional guidance which will promote the safety of both mother and baby in the perioperative environment.
Issues raised by practitioners in Wales were discussed, including:
· Concerns relating to staffing and skill mix issues
· The sustainability of Referral to Treatment Times (RTT) targets, particularly in relation to staff welfare
· The potential for an all Wales Theatre Operational Group.
The CNO drew attention to the Free to Lead, Free to Care Programme which supports the role of ward leaders, the development of a programme to assist practitioners who move to Wales from other countries to assist them with familiarisation of Welsh healthcare practices, and the adaptation of a Scottish Toolkit to support Advanced and Specialist roles, thus providing consistency in standards.
Overall, the meeting was informative for all concerned and Rosemary Kennedy thanked AfPP for highlighting practitioners concerns directly with her and for providing Standards and Guidance for practitioners engaged in all elements of perioperative practice.
