Central Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee (CNMAC)

The Role of CNMAC

The department and CNO from time to time ask CNMAC to undertake specific tasks, whether commenting on major consultative documents or deliberating on wider professional topics. CNMAC also advises on topics of it’s own choice. The remit of the committee includes:

• the provision of advice in relation to particular fields of practice of nursing and midwifery for which the committee may appoint specialist committees
• the provision of advice on the implications, for nursing and midwifery of changes in technology, practice and policies
• the identification of areas for particular study and research
• the provision of advice to the department on strategic plans
• the promotion of understanding and co-operation within and between the professions in health and personal social care and related areas

Chairperson: Chief Nursing Officer
Secretary: Mrs Caroline Lee

Please see below for minutes from previous CNMAC meetings.

• Minutes of CNMAC meetings 2014

CNMAC Subgroups

Strategic Workforce and Education

The main responsibilities of the sub group are:

• to prepare and submit regular reports on workforce and education to CNMAC on key strategic issues impacting on the profession
• act as expert reference group to the 2014 Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Review
• take lead responsibility for any recommendations made in the completed 2014 Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Review
• influence government policy through the development of, for example, position statements and policies, implementation plans and pilots, and innovations regarding workforce and education
• provide a forum for ensuring workforce and education are aligned in policy direction
• facilitate the collaboration of nursing and midwifery in targeting and prioritising major regional, national and international strategic opportunities regarding workforce and education
• collaborate with other CNMAC sub groups to ensure workforce is built to develop strategies for the delivery of safe and effective person-centred services
• provide a conduit for information and innovation between CNMAC and the wider nursing and midwifery community

Chairpersons: Mr Alan Corry-Finn and Professor Carol Curran
Secretary: Mrs Caroline Lee

Safety,Quality and Experience

The main responsibilities of the Safety Quality and Experience Sub Group are:

• to prepare and submit regular reports to CNMAC on progress on the following
• contribute to the development of the new DHSSPS Nursing and Midwifery Strategy by developing and articulating nursing and midwifery policy for safe and effective person-centred services
• influence government policy through the development of, for example, position statements and policies, implementation plans and pilots, and innovations
• promote the performance of the nursing and midwifery contribution to the development, delivery and evaluation of safe and effective person-centred services
• give particular attention to the promotion of evidence that results in a critical evaluation of the nursing and midwifery contribution to safe and effective person-centred services
• provide a forum for promoting safe and effective person-centred nursing and midwifery services
• facilitate the collaboration of nursing and midwifery in targeting and prioritising major regional, national and international strategic opportunities
• collaborate with CNMAC Workforce Sub Group to ensure workforce is built to develop strategies for the delivery of safe and effective person-centred services
• provide a conduit for information and innovation between CNMAC and the wider nursing and midwifery community
• encourage the pursuit of innovation in the development of safe and effective person-centred nursing and midwifery services, and collaborate with the Research and Development Sub Group depending on work being conducted by the sub group
• communicate progress in the development of safe and effective person-centred nursing and midwifery services

Chairperson: Mrs Tanya McCance
Secretary: Mrs Caroline Lee

Education commissioning arrangements for post-registration education

The commissioning arrangements are managed through the Education Commissioning Group (ECG) formed after a major review and consultation by the Nursing and Midwifery Directorate (NMD). The group is comprised of key trust representatives from all HSC trusts key personnel from DHSSPS and is chaired by Mary Hinds, Director of Nursing & AHP, Public Health Agency.

A Business and Contracts Manager Mrs Shima Choudury has responsibility for the management of the post registration education budgets for nursing and midwifery and for AHPs, which includes allocation to the two in-service units within the province and the funding of development of practice and practice development initiatives.

Quality assurance of all NMC regulated and recorded programmes is undertaken by Nursing and Midwifery Council. Quality assurance of all other programmes is undertaken by NIPEC.