overview

The Nursing Workforce Strategy (2006) notes that the development of primary health and community based services is vital for the health sector and over the next few years the sector must progressively support the transition of nurses to work in primary health and community settings. There is a need to build on existing initiatives to create sufficient momentum for change and a nursing workforce that is able to fully contribute to an interdisciplinary model of care within a vital primary health care (PHC) and community sector.

Investing in nursing leadership strengthens nursing workforce and service development (Nursing Workforce Strategy, 2006). Nursing leadership roles are needed in primary health to lead change alongside other disciplines, to participate in governance of PHC organisations, for clinical governance to promote development of nursing service delivery and quality in primary health services and community settings. Implementation of Magnet principles and the Safe Staffing Unit supports nursing participation in decision-making. NZ research already demonstrates the applicability of the key Magnet principles of professional practice and professional development to achieving PHC goals.

This project is about developing PHC nursing leadership and further to meet the WSG targets of developing clear and accessible nursing leadership in PHC.
The project will:

• Identify and profile PHC leadership which already provides strong integrated models
• Define DHB nursing leadership infrastructures which enable clear accessible leadership in primary health