Page 18 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

Defence Nursing Programme Update Jul 18
16 QARANC THE GAZETTE
HQ Surgeon General, DMS Whittington, Lichfield
What is it?
The Nursing Programme is a group of connected projects which will support positive changes to Defence Nursing for the future and aims to:
 Improve recruitment and retention.
 Ensure that we continue to have nurses fit for role.
 Provide an improved and sustainable firm base clinical capability.
Many of you will already have contributed to this work through the online recruitment and retention survey, focus groups and JMTRA discussion groups.
Contacts:
 Capt Ali Hofman, DNA 01543 434247
 Sqn Ldr Jon Vollam, SO2 Nursing
01543 434652 jonathan.vollam118@mod.gov.uk
What does it consist of?
The programme will look at 4 key areas:
 Post-registration nurse training
 Foundation Programme
 Deployed Operational Nursing Competencies (DONC)
 Post-registration courses
 Pre-registration nurse training
 Evaluation of Bursaries
 Implementation of the new NMC Educational Standards
 Clinical career pathways
 Pathways into Defence Nursing
 Advanced Practice
 Placements
 Specialist Training
 Terms and conditions of service
 Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) submissions →
 Entry ages and routes and lateral entry (from NHS) When will it be completed?
Although the programme will run until circa end 2022; planned key milestones are:
 Initial proposal for change to AFPRB - Jul 18
 Revised DONC foundation implementation - Jan 19
 Recommendations for change to AFPRB - Jun 19
 Revised specialist DONC implementation - Apr 20
Army Review
Captain Ali Hofman, the outgoing Defence Nursing Advisor, will handover to Col Sharon Findlay, 27 Jul 18.
What is the AFPRB1?
The AFPRB is “...responsible for submitting reports and recommendations on pay and charges for members of the Armed Forces to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister.”
Over the next 2 years, HQ Surgeon General will be submitting evidence to the AFPRB in support of an in-depth review of Defence Nurses’ pay.
1 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/armed-forces-pay -review-body/about
An Army Nursing Capability Review is also being undertaken alongside, which may inform aspects of the Defence Nursing Programme.
Modernising Defence Nursing. Right People, Right Skills, Right Place, Right Time.