Some thoughts on @DHSCgovuk decision announced today to create a new post of Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care. I’m sure this could fulfil a valuable & important role but…..(1/5)

The decision should have been taken months ago so someone could have been in post now in time for autumn/winter pressures. By the time appointment is made I fear the moment of maximum impact will have passed – unless there’s an immediate interim appointment (2/5)

Essential that the person appointed has sound knowledge and experience in care homes to have credibility in the sector & hit the ground running (3/5)

Worth remembering that of 1.5m people who work in social care, just 36,000 are nurses (20,000 social workers are covered by @dhsc Chief Social Worker role). That leaves a huge leadership void for 97% of the workforce (4/5)

So it will be interesting to see if the action plan says anything about a Chief Care Officer post (as proposed by @leicesterliz) – arguably a much higher priority? 5/5