Welcome to 2008, a new year and a new programme of annual
monitoring. This is the year we start the Risk-Based approach to
annual monitoring and we have a lot to learn and a lot to get
through. Many of you will have already have seen the new content of
PRCs and report formats. If you haven’t, then please
click here to check out the changes
in the new QA Handbook. BUT don’t panic (Captain Mainwaring!), your
Managing Reviewer will fully brief you prior to your monitoring
event. The PRCs and report formats are very much more structured
than previously and this should assist report writing and ensure
greater consistency.
This year has also seen another development. We have made contact
with all SHAs and will be meeting with Contract Managers and/or
Quality Managers during the period of the monitoring process. This
will ensure that the spirit of partnership working operates at all
levels and universities and NHS providers are fully supported in
the delivery of high quality nursing and midwifery education.
Once again January to June will be a busy time as we undertake 78
monitoring events. However, being able to spread the events over a
6 month period means that it will be less intense than last year.
You will be aware that the NMC has asked us to monitor all
programmes leading to registration as a nurse and midwife. This is
placing a heavy burden on our midwife reviewers but they have
responded with extraordinary flexibility - thank you. However, this
does mean that our public health and community nursing reviewers
have not been called upon – but – we will shortly be receiving
requests for approval of the new recordable nurse prescribing award
and then your time will come!
September to January has seen a much higher level of approval
activity than occurred last year. This is primarily because of the
introduction of the new standards for mentorship, practice teacher
and teacher. We anticipate that approval activity will lessen as we
progress into the year, until May when the approval season begins
again.
Best wishes for a rewarding time in 2008, whether as a reviewer or
whilst being reviewed. Don’t forget to put the Reviewer Conference
in your diary – Thursday,
September 18 in Manchester.
Janet D Duberley
Director of Reviews
janet.duberley@hlsp.org
