WHO/Europe has launched the first-ever WHO knowledge-sharing platform for nurses and midwives, the Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (GCNMO) Hub. The new platform will address the needs of nurses and midwives in the Region while amplifying
their work and achievements.
GCNMOs are key to ensuring that nurses and midwives in each country have the right tools and training to meet their populations’ needs. The first “State of the world’s nursing” report and the latest “State of the world’s
midwifery” report have both shown the importance of having chief nursing and midwifery positions for effective health service delivery in countries.
“The pandemic has exposed and intensified the gaps that already existed in the nursing and midwifery professions,” said Ms Margrieta Langins, Nursing and Midwifery Regional Policy Adviser for WHO/Europe. “And now we have a window of
opportunity to strengthen the role of nurses and midwives in senior leadership positions in countries across our Region.”
A nurse by training, Ms Langins was speaking at the September launch event hosted by WHO and attended by nurses and midwives from 32 European countries.
“The new Hub is a way to maximize learning from the pandemic and increase the capacity of GCNMOs to support governments in the COVID-19 recovery,” she added.
Supporting nurses and midwives beyond COVID-19
To launch and focus discussions, participants at the event heard from Ms Rachel Kenna, Dr Shoshy Goldberg and Ms Charlotta George, chief nursing officers (CNOs) for Ireland, Israel and Sweden, respectively.
The CNOs discussed their responsibilities and roles in leading the nursing workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their functions within their ministries of health in improving quality of care for patients.
“The new WHO/Europe Hub will help us learn and understand how we in our role as GCNMOs can lead and support nurses and midwifes in their important daily work,” said Ms George.
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the Region and the globe, national health systems had to rethink and reorganize the roles of nurses and midwives. As the pandemic continues, it is essential for GCNMOs to have a say and play a role in shaping how
these services are designed.
Through the Hub, GCNMOs will be able to exchange views, experiences and strategies with nursing experts and scientists from across the Region and around the world.
The Hub will also monitor and identify key emerging needs in the Region to strengthen GCNMOs as key members of ministries of health, and equip GCNMOs with WHO resources and updates on the latest health policy strategies.
Sharing the vision of nurses and midwives in the Region
So far, 32 of the Region’s 53 Member States have nominated a GCNMO or equivalent to the Hub. GCNMO nominees will co-chair the network on a 6–12-month rotational basis together with WHO, providing guidance and support to nurses and midwives
in the Region.
“For the first time, we have the opportunity to share a common vision, leadership solutions and innovations in a way that will empower our nurses,” said Ms Goldberg during the discussions.
At the event, WHO also announced the imminent introduction of the new Nursing and Midwifery Global Community of Practice, where members of the Hub will share key resources and expertise to strengthen the work of GCNMOs globally.
The Hub is an important and promising development during the Year of the Health and Care Worker. Promoting nursing and midwifery leadership means supporting a workforce that amounts to nearly 60% of the total health workforce in the Region.