The Department of Health recently supported an on-Island event at which the Royal College of Nursing’s new ‘Principles of Nursing Practice’ were rolled-out to nurses based in the Isle of Man. The new principles - which have been developed in conjunction with the Department of Health (England), the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and patient and service user organisations - are gradually being launched at events across the country. The initiative sets out the principles which nurses hold dear, the fundamentals of nursing which make a real difference to patients and their families.
Put simply, the eight principles describe what everyone can expect from nursing. The event, held at the Department of Health’s Learning and Education Centre - Keyll Darree - was co-facilitated by Ruth Burey, Learning and Development Facilitator from the Royal College, and chaired by Department of Health Chief Executive, David Killip. The session detailed how the principles were produced, how they can be implemented at a local level and how nurses can champion the principles.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “The Royal College of Nursing has clearly defined its core values and beliefs, centred around these eight principles. I’m delighted that the Royal College has facilitated a workshop in the Isle of Man as part of its UK road shows; and I know that this development will help to further focus the minds of our dedicated nursing staff, ensuring that we continue to excel at providing excellent patient-centred care.”
The workshop comes shortly after the appointment of a new Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Isle of Man Branch Executive Committee, chaired by Verna Phillips, staff nurse on Ward 11 at Noble’s Hospital. Verna is a Union Learning Representative and, along with fellow Union Learning Representative Cathie Quine, will be developing future educational events. Sandra Pressley, retired Senior Nurse, has taken over as Branch Secretary, and Janet Thommeny, a Mental Health Practitioner, is Branch Treasurer. Janet is a Steward and will be leading on Employment Relations matters, as well as representing the RCN on joint negotiating meetings with management representatives from the Departments of Health and Social Care. Jeanette Hogg, Student Nurse, has also joined the Committee. Jeanette will act as a Student Information Officer, working with students and the Branch on matters affecting them.
Minister Anderson added: “I’d like add my congratulations to the members appointed to the new Executive Committee of the local branch of the Royal College of Nursing – I look forward to a productive and positive working relationship, as they begin their work to represent their profession on the Island.”
Members of the RCN had the opportunity to meet the new Branch Officers in a recent event at Keyll Darree, where the new Executive Committee were looking for ideas for events, and people to join the RCN, with a view to making the Branch much more active in 2012. Representatives and members were welcomed by Paul Gardner, RCN Officer from Bolton, who was present to talk about the roles of stewards, health and safety representatives and union learning representatives, as well as the work of the RCN planned for the coming year.
Verna Philips said: “We are really keen to get as many representatives and members involved in the work of the RCN as we can. Working with nurses for the benefit of the profession and our patients is at the heart of what we do. We want to make a difference to the quality of care and to the working lives of our nursing colleagues.”
Bev Critchlow, Chief Nurse, said: “We are really pleased that the RCN Isle of Man Branch is taking such a proactive approach and we welcome the opportunity to work together. As a professional body, the RCN is pivotal to the development of nursing and are an invaluable resource to our nurses. The profession continues to develop, as the launch of the new principles demonstrates; and nursing continues to have a bright future in the Isle of Man with a continued role in caring for those in our close-knit community.”
Anyone wanting more information or who is interested in getting involved with the work of the Branch should contact Verna Phillips on 650031 or verna.phillips@gov.im.
