NSW Health WSLHD Safety & Quality Account 2020-21

Research and education network

Nursing and Midwifery Education Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Program: In recognition of the importance of fostering the next generation of leaders among nurses and midwives in WSLHD, a leadership program for upcoming nurse unit managers (NUMs) and midwifery unit managers (MUMs) was launched in February 2021. This program aims to orientate, support and develop new NUMs and MUMs and expose participants to the core components and everyday challenges of being a leader. In addition, the program creates a strong, supportive network between participants to support each participant navigate the dynamic, changing environment in which the NUM/MUM operates. In 2021, 12 participants were selected across facilities and services and provided with the opportunity to develop their leadership journey through engagement with subject matter experts at specialised workshops focusing on patient safety, workforce, conflict and financial management. Participants were also provided the opportunity to hear from guest speakers such as the Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, NSW Health, WSLHD Board member, NSW Police Commissioner, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University and the Chief Executive, Clinical Excellence Commission as they shared their leadership journey to inspire the participants. The success of the pilot program has resulted in a number of graduates now appointed to senior leadership roles across the district and the continuation of the program in 2022 with a new cohort of 15 participants. Furthermore, work has also commenced to develop leadership programs to support clinical nurse/midwife consultants and clinical nurse specialists.

COVID-19 Education - During COVID-19 pandemic the knowledge and skills of clinical and non-clinical staff was changing constantly as additional information about the disease became available and new services were established. A variety of COVID-19 related education initiatives were developed and delivered by the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health team in response to the changing needs of the health services, these included: • ICU upskilling program for clinical staff • ICU upskilling for Allied health professionals • Rapid onboarding program for clinical staff • NSWMoH Care assistants orientation • Fit testing for staff and students • COVID-19 Vaccination Training for 2871 clinical and non-clinical staff GradSTART and MidSTART - WSLHD welcomes newly graduated registered nurses and registered midwives across the organisation. Previously, each service delivered different orientation programs. In 2021, WSLHD Nursing and Midwifery education standardized the GradSTART and MidSTART programs to ensure new staff all receive the same learner experience and consistent information. Clinical Competency Standards - Standardization of nursing competency standards and tools across WSLHD- In order to provide safe effective clinical care it is essential to standardise how the clinical competence of nurses and midwives is assessed. This project has: mapped clinical nursing competency assessments across the district, identified duplication of competencies, developed a standardised tool for the assessment of clinical competency including an assessors guide, provides a guideline for the development of clinical competencies, an approval process and a central location for the storage of clinical competency assessments and establishment of a clinical competency assessment governance committee.

Above from left: Midwives Breanna and Nadia Long. Amar Hamed Westmead Midwife with Hanan Baker and baby Fatima Kassab.

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