Options for a national nursing and midwifery agency and
databank will be examined. The aim will be to maintain contact
with nurses and midwives throughout their career-span, including
those having career breaks, those pursuing alternative careers
and those who have recently retired. NHSScotland will work
with private sector partners on a co-ordinated approach
to nurse and midwife temporary cover, bank and agency arrangements.
NHS Trust Chief Executives will be asked to confirm to
the Chief Nursing Officer that all nurses have access to
information technology and the Internet in accordance with
national policy, during 2002.
Proposals for leaders in clinical areas (sisters/charge
nurses) to be provided with an unallocated budget for their
discretionary use within their clinical area will be considered.
Joint initiatives with public and private partners to
increase flexibility around school hours and childcare provision
to support staff working in public services will be examined,
with a view to inclusion in local Health Plans from 2003.
