Donna Ockenden writes a blog which is published on the NMC website. It covers her thoughts and insights into industry matters and includes reflections on the last few months at the NMC.
News Archive
The FGM animations created by the RCM have won a TUC Communication Award 2018 for best digital membership communication. The series of short animated films on FGM were developed by the RCM in collaboration with the RCOG, the RCGP, survivors of FGM, NGOs and a variety of local community partners.
The RCM and its partners worked closely with FGM survivors to ensure the authenticity of the stories being told via the animations remained true to the realities of surviving FGM.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has agreed a new approach to resolving concerns about nurses’ and midwives’ practice. The changes signal the regulator’s commitment to moving away from a blame culture towards a just culture in health and social care. The NMC’s focus is on reducing risks to patients and service users in the future by encouraging openness and learning.
The NMC looks set to consult on new standards for return to practice that could make it easier for nurses to come back to the profession after a career break. The move comes amid concern the current standards are outdated and may be “creating unnecessary barriers” for those seeking to come back to nursing as well as contributing to staffing shortages.
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have released a statement on extending the human papillomavirus infection (HPV) vaccination programme to adolescent boys in the UK.
Tens of thousands of children are being given antidepressants despite warnings that the pills may harm developing brains for little benefit. NHS data reveals that more than 70,000 people under 18 and almost 2,000 children of primary school age are prescribed pills.
The NMC have circulated their July newsletter and it covers: lessons learned, nursing associate regulations, CEO stepping down, OSCE re-sit policy, new education standards, changes to sub-part two of the register and helping staff to stay on the register.
A ‘Review of the Governance Arrangements relating to the care of patients on Tawel Fan ward’ is a report by Donna Ockenden and was commissioned by Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board. The review was published on the 12 July 2018.
Read the Report
Executive summary (English)
Executive summary (Welsh)
Press release (English)
Press release (Welsh)
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is encouraging people living with dementia and their carers from Bangor and the surrounding area to share their experiences of the care and support they have received. The Health Board is working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to mark Tell Your Story Week (23-28th July) with a series of engagement events across North Wales.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has become the regulator in law for nursing associates – the new health and care role is designed to bridge the gap between unregulated health care assistants and registered nurses. Jackie Smith said: “This is a significant milestone on the nursing associate journey and regulation of this new role has now become a reality. There is still much to do to before the first nursing associates join our register early next year and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure this new role is understood.”
In the UK, 1 in 4 pregnancies will end in loss, due to miscarriage, stillbirth or babies being born too soon. The emotional impact that this has is devastating and leaves parents with so many unanswered questions. Which is why Tommy’s have created the Tommy’s support group. The forum is overseen by midwives is a safe space where members can ask questions, share memories and advice, connect with other people in the community and discuss their experiences without fear of judgement. #TogetherForChange
An experimental treatment pioneered by British scientists is helping premature babies survive lethal infections by giving them the right kind of “friendly” gut bacteria. Early results from an ongoing trial in Norwich involving 240 pre-term infants fed probiotic milk laced with the bugs look “exciting”, say researchers.