NMC-GH
NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF GHANA EMPOWERS PROFESSIONAL STAFF THROUGH COLLABORATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON REVALIDATION
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) joined forces with esteemed educational institutions, the University of Huddersfield and the University of Liverpool (both in the UK), to conduct a comprehensive three-day capacity-building training. The programme, held in Accra, brought together professional staff and Management Information System (MIS) personnel both at the N&MC's Head Office and regional branches. The primary objective was to equip participants with a thorough understanding of the revalidation processes, enabling them to effectively disseminate this vital information to their peers. The N&MC seeks to introduce a revalidation policy for nurses and midwives in 2026.
Mrs. Philomina Woolley, Acting Registrar of the N&MC, delivered a keynote presentation, emphasizing the significance of revalidation in enhancing adherence to professional standards and codes of practice within the nursing and midwifery sector. She underscored that revalidation serves as a mechanism for practitioners to assess their performance, demonstrate compliance with standards, remain abreast of evolving practices, and foster heightened public confidence in the profession.
Central to the training agenda was the advancement of the revalidation framework and associated guidelines.
Mr. Ampem Darko Oklodu-Abbey Esq, Deputy Director (Operations) and Head of Intelligence and Discipline Unit at the N&MC took the participants through the steps of revalidation and what will be expected from registrants.
Participants actively engaged in collaborative exercises facilitated by lead partners including Dr. Bibha Simkhada, a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Deputy Director of Graduate Education at the School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK as well as Dr. Susan Jones, Lecturer and Professional Lead in Nursing at the School of Allied Health Professionals and Nursing, University of Liverpool, UK. Also, Prof. Charles Ampong Adjei from School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Ghana and a Research Assistant/Coordinator on this project supported the training programme. Together, they deliberated on the development of revalidation templates, requisite criteria, and strategies for sensitization and dissemination. This training programme forms part of a project under a Global Health Workforce Programme funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care via Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET). This project aims to “strengthen the ability of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana to oversee and regulate the professional register of nurses and midwives and to ensure high-quality nursing and midwifery care”.
Upon conclusion, attendees expressed gratitude to the organizers for orchestrating an insightful programme. Reflecting on the experience, one participant articulated, "We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the revalidation process. Armed with this knowledge, we pledge to serve as ambassadors, igniting enthusiasm and understanding among our peers and the wider community."
The collaborative initiative marks a pivotal step towards advancing professional excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the nursing and midwifery domain in Ghana.
Other key members of the project team include Precious Adade Duodu, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and International Lead for the Department of Nursing; Prof. Padam Simkhada, Professor of Global Health and Associate Dean International (both at the University of Huddersfield, UK); and Mrs. Victoria Lamina, Head of Policy at the N&MC. Mr. Hari Krishna Neupane (IT Consultant) and Mr. Manish Parajuli (Project Manager) - both at TechnoFerry International Limited, UK - offer the IT consultancy on this project while working in collaboration with Mr. Dennis Addai, Senior IT Officer; Mr. Osei Agyei Duodu, MIS Manager; and Mr. Frederick Kwasi Osei, MIS Team Lead (all staff at the N&MC Ghana). Ransford Akrong, a PhD Researcher at the University of Huddersfield, is also a Research Assistant on this project.
Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery Regulation in Ghana: Insights from the N&MC Ghana's Visit to NMC UK on Revalidation
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, a delegation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana, the University of Huddersfield, UK, and TechnoFerry International Limited, UK, embarked on a significant visit to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) UK. The delegation included Mrs. Philomina A.N. Woolley, Acting Registrar; Mr. Ampem Darko Oklodu-Abbey Esq, Deputy Director (Operations) and Head of Intelligence and Discipline Unit; and Mr. Dennis Addai, Senior IT Officer (all at the N&MC of Ghana). Accompanying them were Dr. Bibha Simkhada, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Deputy Director of Graduate Education, University of Huddersfield, UK; as well as Mr. Hari Krishna Neupane, IT Consultant; and Mr. Manish Parajuli, Project Manager (both representing TechnoFerry International Limited, UK).
The primary objective of this visit to the NMC UK was to glean insights and expertise in implementing the innovative revalidation policy for nurses and midwives. The delegation sought to understand firsthand how the UK has effectively spearheaded this initiative, which has significantly contributed to enhancing health outcomes and fostering professional development among nurses and midwives. This visit was a pivotal component of an ongoing collaborative project aimed at “strengthening the N&MC of Ghana's capacity to oversee and regulate the professional registration of nurses and midwives to ensure high-quality care”. Supported by funding from the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), this project is part of the Global Health Workforce Programme. By leveraging the experiences, strategies, and best practices of leaders like the NMC UK, the delegation aims to tailor its approach to suit the distinctive needs and challenges of the healthcare system in Ghana.
Upon arrival, the delegation was warmly received by Natasha Dare, Head of Regulatory Policy, NMC UK, who graciously facilitated the meeting in the absence of Peter Pinto de Sa, Assistant Director, Office of the Chair and Chief Executive, NMC UK. The visit commenced with an illuminating presentation on revalidation, setting the stage for discussions and the exchange of practical recommendations on the introduction of a context-specific policy in Ghana. Additionally, the IT team had the opportunity to delve into the technological intricacies of policy implementation. In addition, Natasha Dare kindly agreed to serve on the Steering Committee for the execution of this project.
Although not present during the visit, other key members of the project include Precious Adade Duodu, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and International Lead for the Department of Nursing; Professor Padam Simkhada, Professor of Global Health and Associate Dean International (both at the University of Huddersfield, UK); and Dr. Susan Jones, Lecturer and Professional Lead for Nursing, University of Liverpool, UK.
In conclusion, the visit to the NMC UK was instrumental in providing invaluable insights and expertise that will inform the development and implementation of revalidation policies for nurses and midwives in Ghana. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, both countries are poised to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance professional standards, and ultimately, improve healthcare delivery for the benefit of all.
Strengthening Global health partnerships: Nursing & Midwifery Council of Ghana and University of Huddersfield, UK sign Memorandum of Understanding
On Thursday, 21st March 2024, a significant step towards enhancing collaboration in nursing and midwifery education, practice and research was taken, as a delegation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana visited the prestigious University of Huddersfield in the United Kingdom. Led by Mrs. Philomina A.N. Woolley, Acting Registrar of the N&MC of Ghana, the delegation comprised Mr. Ampem Darko Oklodu-Abbey Esq, Deputy Director (Operations) and Head of Intelligence and Discipline Unit, and Mr. Dennis Addai, Senior IT Officer.
This visit marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing collaborative project aimed at “strengthening the ability of the N&MC of Ghana to oversee and regulate the professional registration of nurses and midwives to ensure high-quality care”. The collaborative project, funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), is part of the Global Health Workforce Programme.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the University Leadership was Professor Alistair Sambell, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), as well as Professor Jane Owen-Lynch, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and Dean of the School of Human and Health Sciences.
A highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Huddersfield and the N&MC of Ghana. Professor Jane Owen-Lynch signed the MoU on behalf of the University of Huddersfield, while Mrs. Philomina A.N. Woolley represented the N&MC Ghana. The successful visit and signing of the MoU delineates and solidifies the commitment of both institutions to continued collaboration and mutual support in advancing nursing and midwifery education, research, practice, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at advancing nursing and midwifery practice standards in Ghana, the UK, and beyond. It underscores the mutual recognition of each party's expertise and resources, laying the groundwork for sustained cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The meeting was attended by senior leadership teams from the School of Human and Health Sciences and the Department of Nursing at the University of Huddersfield. Noteworthy attendees included Dr. Warren Gillibrand, Ag. Head of the Department of Nursing; Professor Georgina Blakeley, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning); Professor Ann-Louise Caress, Associate Dean for Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange; Professor Vanessa Taylor, School Director of Practice and Care Partnerships; Dr. Stephen Prescott, School Director for Clinical Skills Education; Dr. Caroline Barker, Head of Adult Nursing Division; Karen Currell, Divisional Lead for Nursing Apprenticeships and Ag. Divisional Lead for Child Nursing; and Nikki Rochnia, Head of Practice Education for Nursing.
Also in attendance were project team members including Precious Adade Duodu, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and International Lead for the Department of Nursing; Dr. Bibha Simkhada, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Deputy Director of Graduate Education; Professor Padam Simkhada, Professor of Global Health and Associate Dean (International); and Ransford Akrong, Research Assistant and PhD Researcher (all at the University of Huddersfield). Other project members present were Dr. Susan Jones, Lecturer and Professional Lead for Nursing, University of Liverpool, UK; as well as Hari Krishna Neupane, IT Consultant; and Manish Parajuli, Project Manager (both at TechnoFerry International Limited, UK).
Discussions during the visit encompassed current and future collaborations, with a focus on leveraging resources and expertise to address healthcare challenges in Ghana. The delegation also had the opportunity to tour simulation suites, the Health and Wellbeing Academy, and other state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Huddersfield.
Introducing Revalidation for Enhanced Care Delivery and Professional Development in Ghana: Launch of the Global Health Workforce Programme
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana, in partnership with the University of Huddersfield, UK, proudly announces their participation in the in-country launch of the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) on 21st February 2024, hosted at the Ministry of Health, Accra, Ghana. GHWP aims to bolster health partnerships to fortify the health workforce in Ghana, forging resilient health systems post-pandemic and advancing towards universal health coverage. The programme is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care, via Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET).
The collaboration between N&MC and the University of Huddersfield secured a substantial grant from GHWP, dedicated to "strengthen the ability of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana to oversee and regulate the professional register of nurses and midwives to ensure high-quality care". This current project, building upon three previous collaborative projects, underscores a steadfast commitment to evidence-based practices and continuous improvement.
Derived from the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act 2013 (Act 857), N&MC's mission is to "secure in the public interest, the highest standards of training and practice of nursing and midwifery in Ghana". Additionally, with a vision to "optimize the use of ICT solutions in line with the 4th Industrial Revolution for improved nursing and midwifery regulation", N&MC embarks on a strategic plan spanning from 2021 to 2025. This comprehensive strategy prioritizes total ICT digitization and automation, service enhancement, effective stakeholder engagement, and operational decentralization.
Recognizing the paramount importance of reflective practice, N&MC has integrated a reflection component into the pre-registration nursing and midwifery curricula, emphasizing the significance
of continuous learning and development. Despite digital license renewal, opportunities persist for system enhancements to ensure ongoing competence and professionalism among registered nurses and midwives. Thus, the introduction of revalidation in 2026, the focus of this current project, anticipates a transformative shift in Ghana's healthcare landscape.
Mrs. Philomina A.N. Woolley, Acting Registrar of N&MC, emphasized the significance of this initiative during an interview with Ghana Television (GTV), highlighting its potential to elevate standards and enhance patient care. She stated that, "in time past, we have been doing relicensing ... but we realize that the clients that we take care of still complain about the attitude of nurses [and midwives]. And so, what best can we do to improve the healthcare that we give to our clientele? [That’s why] we are bringing in the University of Huddersfield to help us do [what] we call revalidation".
Revalidation, a periodic assessment of professionals' competence and performance, aims to enrich the quality and safety of practice by promoting continuous learning, reflection, and improvement. This transformative initiative heralds a significant stride towards improving care delivery and fostering professional development in Ghana's nursing and midwifery sectors. Mrs. Woolley expressed confidence that "when this is rolled out, a lot of the cry of the public will decrease to the barest minimum."
Precious Adade Duodu, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and International Lead for the Department of Nursing, University of Huddersfield, highlighted the project's intended outcomes, including the development of a robust, user-friendly, and intuitive database as well as foster capacity building for nurses and midwives. He emphasized the importance of reflection in daily practice, peer feedback, and the ultimate improvement of patient outcomes in Ghana. Speaking to Ghana Television (GTV), he said that “one of the key things that’s going to improve our practice
is to continually reflect on what we do on daily basis. That will help us to learn, relearn and unlearn and to incorporate new knowledge and ideas into our own practise. So, Registrar talked about one aspect of it, which is to improve patient outcomes. But also on the other side, it helps the nurses and the midwives themselves to ensure personal and professional growth, because daily you’ll be learning by incorporating that [feedback and reflection] into your practise”. He continued that “it also prevents professional isolation because you're going to engage in some sort of peer feedback with your colleagues, as well as patients and family members that will ultimately improve patient outcomes here in Ghana”.
In line with the strategy of effective stakeholder engagement, N&MC convened a stakeholder consultative meeting on Tuesday 20th February 2024 at the Head Office in Accra to deliberate on this initiative. It is significant to highlight that the decision to implement revalidation arose from recommendations derived from the three prior projects, each deeply rooted in stakeholder consultation. To achieve this objective, the N&MC, following the deliberations of the consultative meeting, aims to integrate additional steps into the licensing process, including:
1. Documentation of CPD implementation through written reflections.
2. Practice-related feedback from colleagues, patients, carers, and families.
3. Reflective discussions with line managers to validate CPD completion and practice improvement efforts.
4. Self-declaration of good health and character at the point of revalidation.
These measures aim to shift the relicensing process from a mere tick-box exercise to a meaningful professional development opportunity.
The anticipated outcomes of this one-year GHWP project include the implementation of a robust electronic database, supported by user-friendly and safe management information systems (MIS).
Capacity building initiatives will ensure smooth operation, with extensive training and piloting preceding full policy implementation. Mrs Woolley rounded up her interview highlighting that “we are also going to have capacity training for our MIS team, so that they will have the capacity to develop these internet [technological] aspects. The University of Huddersfield is also going to help us to build the capacity of the nursing and midwifery staff that we have”.
The IT Consultant on the project, Mr Hari Krishna Neupane of TechnoFerry International Limited, UK who recently visited Ghana expressed enthusiasm for supporting the N&MC IT team to build a secure, user-friendly, and intuitive database for the revalidation policy. The project has already commenced, with needs assessment and capacity building activities underway.
In conclusion, the introduction of the revalidation initiative represents a significant milestone in Ghana's journey towards healthcare excellence. By embracing continuous learning and professional development, N&MC reaffirms its commitment to securing the highest standards of nursing and midwifery practice, ultimately enhancing the quality of care for all Ghanaian citizens while promoting professional development among nurses and midwives, who form the largest proportion of the health workforce.
N&MC Hosts 8th Credentialing Forum to Uphold Standards in Nursing and Midwifery Education
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to excellence in nursing and midwifery education through the successful culmination of its 8th Credentialing Forum held at the Rev. Veronica Darko Conference Hall at the Council’s Head Office in Accra from March Monday 4th to Thursday 7th March, 2024.
The Credentialing Forum convened key stakeholders from fourteen (14) esteemed Nursing and Midwifery training institutions. It served as a pivotal public gathering, bringing together a distinguished Panel comprised of members of the 15th Governing Board of N&MC alongside Directors of Nursing and Midwifery and Senior Staff of N&MC. This forum was situated within the Council’s objective to “secure in the public interest the highest standards of training and practice of nursing and midwifery”. It stands as a cornerstone in the N&MC's accreditation process, underscoring the imperative for applicants to adhere unwaveringly to stringent criteria or standards.
Mrs. Agnes Oppong-Baah, Head of Accreditations and Supervision, representing the Acting Registrar (Mrs Philomina A.N. Woolley), underscored the pivotal role of accreditation in upholding standards of mission, administration, faculty, curriculum, and resources across participating institutions. "This Credentialing Forum, initiated in November 2020, stands as a testament to N&MC's unwavering dedication to bolster accreditation protocols, ensuring excellence in both established and emerging institutions," remarked Mrs. Oppong-Baah during her opening address.
The distinguished Panel for the forum comprised of DSP Kennedy Japion, Director of Nursing at the Ghana Police Hospital; Mrs. Judith Asiamah, Director of Nursing at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC); Mrs. Florence Animwaa Darko, Assistant Head of Department for Text Construction and Curriculum Development at N&MC; and Mrs. Netta
Forson Ackon, President of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA). "The Credentialing Forum is anchored on the criteria of quality (excellence), efficiency, and effectiveness," emphasized DSP Kennedy Japion, Chairman of the forum, underscoring the paramount importance of maintaining rigorous standards.
Among the institutions summoned to undergo rigorous assessment were the University for Development Studies (UDS); College of Health Sciences (COHS), Yendi; Nursing and Midwifery Training College (NMTC), Bole; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); Midwifery Training College (MTC), Bolgatanga; Nursing Training College (NTC), Bolgatanga; Midwifery Training College (MTC), Jirapa; Nursing Training College (NTC), Jirapa; New Life College, Tamale; Nursing and Midwifery Training College (NMTC), Damango; Nursing Training College (NTC), Lawra; Technical University College, Tamale; Community Health Nurses Training College (CHNTC), Tamale; and Garden City University College, Kumasi.
Notably, UDS sought accreditation for a new programme, Registered Public Health Nurse (RPHN), alongside reaccreditation for existing programmes. The remaining thirteen (13) institutions sought reaccreditation to sustain programmes including RPHN, Registered General Nursing (RGN), Registered Midwifery (RM), Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN), Nursing Assistant Clinical (NAC), and Nurse Assistant Preventive (NAP).
Preceding the forum, N&MC teams conducted meticulous assessments of each institution, identifying areas for enhancement and offering recommendations. Feedback from these assessments was meticulously presented during the forum, with institutional representatives engaging in constructive dialogue with the esteemed Panel. In response to identified challenges, recommendations were made, including the employment of part-time tutors to
optimize tutor-to-student ratios, and improvement in material resources, among others, aligning with established standards.
In expressing gratitude, management of the participating institutions extended appreciation to the N&MC team for their insightful assessments and invaluable recommendations.
NMC HOLDS STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIVE MEETING
Professionals from various fields of health practice gathered in a Stakeholder Consultative meeting to deliberate on procedures of revalidation for Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives in a bid to improve the quality of practice in Ghana.
The meeting, which took place at the Nursing and Midwifery Council on Tuesday 20th February, 2024 discussed the development of a system of revalidation aimed at strengthening the N&MC’s licensing regulation in alignment with the Organization’s mission, which is to secure in the public interest, the highest standards of training and practice of Nursing and Midwifery.
The Acting Registrar of the Council, Mrs. Philomina Woolley, in her opening address told participants that in spite of the Council’s several regulatory practices, there was a public outcry of poor attitudes of Nursing and Midwifery care in Ghana. She added that the Council in a resolution to improve care and service in all fields of Nursing and Midwifery, would therefore introduce the practice of revalidation every five years, for Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives in their various areas of practice.
Mrs. Woolley emphasized that the revalidation exercise was a measure in response to those challenges, in order to build the confidence of clients, patients and the entire public in Nursing and Midwifery practitioners.
Mrs. Woolley announced that the project was being funded by UK Department of Health and Social Care and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) as part of Global Health Workforce Program. This funding, she said, was acquired after a collaborative application with the University of Huddersfield, in the United Kingdom; a team which had worked collaboratively with N&MC Ghana, over the years.
Representative from the University of Huddersfield, Precious Adade Duodu, in his presentation, told participants that the essence of the meeting was to gather some views, and develop a framework and guidelines for the revalidation project which the Nursing and Midwifery Council would introduce in the nearest future.
He reiterated the need for practitioners to incorporate knowledge acquired from the CPD programs in their practices as that was the only way to attain excellence and client satisfaction in their career.
Mr. Duodu said that as part of strategies toward improving practices in the wake of complaints about patient care, nurses and midwives not adhering to the necessary protocols and code of conducts among others, there would be a need to involve the patient, public, practitioners and stakeholders for the acquisition of feedback, while employers and line managers would also be given the mandate to play critical roles in the CPD process for Nurses and Midwives.
He concluded by lauding the Council for utilizing stakeholder consultation strategies in its regulatory roles.
GLOBAL HEALTH WORKFORCE PROGRAMME LAUNCH
The Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP) was launched in Accra on February 21, 2024 by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH).
The programme, which is financed by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), intends to fortify the health workforce and create more robust health systems for post-pandemic recovery.
The Programme has the ambition of achieving more resilent health systems for post-pandemic recovery and supporting progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Grants for new or existing Health Partnerships between UK, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria have been awarded to respond to national workforce priorities identified through scoping assessments carried out in each country. Among the grant awardees in the country are, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana, College of Physicians and Surgeons and Public Health Association of Ghana,
The trust is happy to start the programme, which offers substantial financing to facilitate the sharing of skills between Ghanaian and UK-based health professionals, according to Mr. Ben Simms; Chief Executive Officer of THET. He also reiterated that, medical personnel are the backbone of any healthcare system, and attaining universal healthcare depends on their efforts. He was hopeful that the programme will help Ghana's health workforce grow.
Madam Louise McGrath, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of THET, in her address stated that the initiative will also assist health partners in addressing national health workforce priorities to create more robust and resilient health systems.
World Health Organization's representative in Ghana, Prof. Francis Chisaka Kasolo explained that the programme aims to develop gender equality-promoting health workforce initiatives and partnerships that would enhance the leadership ability of the health workforce.
He further emphasized that the amount of high-quality training opportunities for healthcare professionals will increase, collaborations will be formed that support retention and wellness initiatives, and knowledge about health workforce interventions which will be documented and disseminated to significant domestic and global stakeholders.
The three African partner nations would profit from possible cross-border collaboration, Prof. Kasolo said, since it would enable them to exchange best practices from their continent. The initiative will help the nation achieve its health goals by investing in the health workforce, which will also enhance international security and sustainable development.
Mrs. Philomina Woolley, the Acting Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) stated that, the grant is built on a previous THET, N&MC and University of Huddersfield project; which recommended that the N&MC bring in a system of revalidation for nurses and midwives to help improve the quality of nursing and midwifery practices in the country.
As part of the revalidation process, the MIS staff at the Council will build capacity to develop a portal for logging in of requirements for revalidation in terms of CPDs, and reflective ractice of care rendered to patients. Mrs. Woolley emphasized that, the enrollment of revalidation will decrease the public outcry to the barest minimum.
Senior lecturer in Adult Nursing, Precious Adade Duodu from the University of Huddersfield also stated that "one of the key thing to help a nurse/ midwife is to continually reflect on what they do on daily basis that will help them to learn, unlearn, incorporate new knowledge and ideas to the practice ".
Dr. Kwesi Asabir, Director of human resource at the Ministry of Health in his address commended THET for the programme; calling it a critical platform for engaging and looking at human resource management from a global perspective, partnering to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, and understanding the global health workforce as a single challenge that requires everyone's involvement. Dr. Asabir officially launched the programme to kick start in the country.
N&MC HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING FOR ACCREDITED CPD PROVIDERS/CONSULTANTS
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting for accredited continuing professional development (CPD) providers and consultants on 29th February 2024. Held at the N&MC Head Office in Accra, this gathering aimed to apprise CPD providers and consultants of the latest developments in the CPD landscape.
In her opening address, the Acting Registrar of the Council, Mrs. Philomina Woolley, illuminated the pivotal functions of the Council. Emphasizing the focus of the meeting, she highlighted the N&MC's ongoing commitment to professional enhancement and the evolution of nursing and midwifery practices. Mrs. Woolley underscored the historical trajectory of CPD initiatives, dating back to the introduction of license renewal in 1977, which ushered in a paradigm shift towards Professional Identification Numbers (PINs) and Auxiliary Identification Numbers (AINs). This aimed at augmenting practitioners' knowledge and aligning them with contemporary trends in healthcare. She elucidated the Council's progressive measures, including the accreditation of schools to administer CPD programmes in 2014, the formulation of CPD guidelines delineating requisite CPD points for license renewal in 2016, and the establishment of partnerships, such as the one with the World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA), to furnish practitioners with free online CPD platforms.
Furthermore, Mrs. Woolley elucidated the comprehensive review of CPD guidelines in 2020, encompassing hospital and field-based activities, as part of the concerted efforts to elevate the quality of care provided by nurses and midwives. She highlighted the collaborative initiative with the MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) programme under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which introduced the Behaviourally-Focused Applied Political Economy Analysis (BF-APEA) system to augment practice standards.
Mrs. Elizabeth Acheampong, representing JHPIEGO (originally called Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics), expounded upon the collaborative endeavours with USAID MOMENTUM to scrutinize the efficacy of existing CPD frameworks. MOMENTUM aims at Moving Integrated, Quality Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Family Planning and Reproductive Health Services to Scale. She underscored the imperative of recalibrating CPD goals over the next five years and fortifying CPD guidelines to effectuate tangible improvements in service quality.
Mrs. Victoria Lamina, Head of Policy, elaborated on the collaborative efforts between N&MC and USAID MOMENTUM to propel CPD initiatives into the next phase. Leveraging BF-APEA, the partnership aims to address the challenges impeding the translation of robust CPD frameworks into enhanced healthcare services. Mrs. Lamina emphasized that revalidation endeavours to imbue professional practice with contemporary insights and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, thereby elevating the quality and safety of healthcare provision.
Mr. Apem Darko Oklodu-Abbey, Head of Monitoring and Intelligence Unit and the designated officer for CPDs at the N&MC, delivered a succinct presentation elucidating the evolution of CPD protocols. He outlined the progression from triennial to annual license renewal cycles, citing the imperative for agility in integrating innovations into the healthcare sector and curtailing impersonation. He stated that, "it is essential to emphasize that in order to engage in the noble professions of nursing and midwifery within Ghana, one must first be admitted to an accredited institution and successfully complete a licensing examination conducted by the Council. This rigorous process ensures that practitioners are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality care to our communities."
Mr. Oklodu-Abbey advocated for a paradigm shift from relicensing to revalidation, positing that the efficacy of such programmes hinges on their viability, fairness, and alignment with public interests.
Finally, Mr. Frederick Kwasi Osei, Team Lead for the N&MC’s Management Information Systems (MIS), demonstrated how the online portal for uploading CPDs is going to work. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to make the online services of the Council as user-friendly and effortless as possible, as well as his team’s readiness to offer technical assistance to users at all times.
The meeting ended with resounding acceptance and optimism from the participants, signifying a collective commitment to advancing the noble objectives of CPD.
In conclusion, the stakeholders’ meeting underscored the collective resolve to recalibrate CPD frameworks to align with evolving professional standards and enhance healthcare outcomes. Through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, the N&MC remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a dynamic and progressive healthcare ecosystem.
2023 ONLINE LICENSING EXAMINATION BEGINS
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has begun the 2023 online licensing examinations for Auxiliary, Basic and Post Basic programmes all over the country.
A total number of 32,145 Candidates are expected to sit for the licensing examination across 88 centers in the country.
The examinations will begin today Friday, September 8, 2023 and will end on September 26, 2023.
The Ag. Registrar, Mrs. Philomina Woolley, with some Management members of the Council visited some centers in Accra on the start of the examination.
The Governing Board, Management and Staff wish the candidates the best of luck in their examination and prays for incident free examinations.
2023 QUALITY IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOP FOR EXAMINERS BEGINS
As part of continuous efforts to realize the Council’s vision of “optimizing the use of ICT solution in line with the 4th industrial revolution for improved nursing and midwifery regulation, the Council has begun a quality improvement workshop for examiners for the nursing and midwifery practical examination.
