National network for ICB Chief Nurses announced
The NHS Confederation and The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) have announced the creation of a new national network for chief nurses of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England.
The new ICB Chief Nurse Network reflects an agreement to work together more closely on areas of common interest around the development of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the integration agenda. The two organisations will work together to maximise their collective impact to benefit policy and practice, and thereby care on an individual and population basis. Each organisation brings significant capability, expertise and stakeholder support to this formal partnership.
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, chief executive of the QNI said the “two organisations have a shared ambition to support the development of clinical leadership within integrated care systems, and to support the objectives behind integrating care, improving population health and tackling inequalities. This direction of travel aligns with the overall aim, purpose and values of the QNI and I am very much looking forward to modelling a partnership way of working with the NHS Confederation.”
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said, “This collaboration represents an opportunity for both organisations to demonstrate and further support whole-system working. We are pleased to be able to facilitate this network as a safe space in which chief nurses can share their insights, experiences and learnings among peers.”
It is intended that the network, facilitated and supported by NHS Confederation and the QNI, will enable chief nurses to share ideas, experience and learning as ICBs develop. Both organisations recognise the need for a clinical leadership approach that focusses on building relationships, broad collaboration across provider organisations, and enhancing the transformation agenda across the system, which will underpin and inform the ethos of the new Network.
The new network will be chaired by Louise Patten, ICS Strategic Advisor at the NHS Confederation. Louise is a practising district nurse, and a Fellow of the QNI.
Chief Nurses can apply to join the network ahead of the first meeting on 30 March 2023.
