NHS England, working in collaboration with the Council of Deans of Health, has launched the first nursing and midwifery educator career framework. This represents a major milestone in the professional development of educators and delivers a key priority within the NHS Educator Workforce Strategy.

NHS England commissioned Skills for Health to develop this framework, under the guidance of an expert reference group. This group included clinicians, clinical educators, academics, Royal Colleges, patient and public representatives, regional lead nurses, and other professional bodies, including the Council of Deans of Health.

Commenting on the launch, the Chief Executive of the Council said:

“The Council of Deans of Health welcomes the launch of the Nursing and Midwifery Educator Framework. We are grateful for the opportunity members had to feed into the development of this and the hard work of the steering group led by our former chair, Professor Brian Webster-Henderson.

Our members have long been concerned at the sustainability of the academic workforce. Without them there is no future health and social care workforce so this framework is important for all of us. The framework reflects this with its strong case for partnership. We echo its call for more joint appointments, embracing the opportunities of portfolio careers and far closer connectedness between health and education sectors.

We will be working with our member universities and colleges, the NHS and regulators to utilise this framework as effectively as possible.”