Setting The Direction For Nursing & Midwifery Education in Scotland

Background

The Scottish Government's strategic direction for health and social care is based on the vision that by 2020 everyone will live longer, healthier lives at home or in a homely setting, adult health and social care services will be integrated and services for children will be designed to ensure they have the best start in life.^[6] Everyone Matters: 2020 Workforce Vision^[7] has been developed in recognition of the vital role of NHSScotland staff in supporting and driving these changes. New ways of working will increasingly focus on providing healthcare that is person-centred and safe,^[8] preventing and detecting health problems, making access more equitable and using a continuous improvement approach to improve efficiency and effectiveness that maximises the benefits of digital technology. This can only be delivered by a workforce that is confident, competent and caring with access to the best education and development.

The Chief Nursing Officer's Education Review reflected on the strengths and achievements in nursing and midwifery education and research. Based on this work, six strategic aims now set the direction to prepare the nursing and midwifery workforce, in partnership with the wider health and social care team, to deliver the 2020 Vision for Health and Social Care in Scotland.

Setting the Direction informs an implementation process and action plan that will identify the priorities for 2014-2017 and towards 2020. It will strengthen partnership working between the Scottish Government, funding bodies, NHS Education for Scotland, our universities and colleges, staff, service users and carers, professional and system regulators and professional and workforce leaders in health and social care.

Six strategic aims for nursing and midwifery education in Scotland

1. Develop a sustainable national approach to post-registration and postgraduate education and continuing professional development.
2. Embed NHSScotland values^[9] and professionalism in all aspects of nursing and midwifery education, research and practice.
3. Deliver dynamic pre-registration nursing and midwifery education.
4. Enhance the quality of the practice learning environment for staff and students.
5. Strengthen clinical academic collaboration to ensure that research and evidence underpin and drive improvements in quality.
6. Develop an infrastructure to deliver efficient, responsive and sustainable education.