The Inaugural Pacific Heads of Nursing Meeting (PHoN) was held on the 11-14th of February earlier this year in Nadi, Fiji. The PHoN was endorsed by the Heads of Health and announced by the Director General of the Pacific Community (SPC) in August 2019. The meeting’s primary purpose is to provide executive level oversight for regional nursing functions in the Pacific, including a policy advisory and technical role to inform nursing decisions in the region. The Pacific Community (SPC) co-organised the event with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Key partners included International College of Nurses (ICN), Australian College operating Room Nurses (ACORN), Nursing Now, Royal Australian College of Surgeons Pacific Islands Program, UNAIDS, UNICEF, World Bank and WHO. Personnel from Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu were in attendance.
Pacific Heads of Nursing Meeting in Nadi, Fiji, February 2020
Meeting Objectives
The Meeting set out to review, discuss and make recommendations on the following:
- Health Workforce
- Health Emergencies
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases
- Maternal and Child Health
- Non-Communicable Disease
- Universal Health Coverage and Primary Health Care
- Nursing Education and Research in the Pacific
- Nursing Regulations
WHOCC Involvement
Chair of PHoN coordinating the meeting with CNMOs and Ministerial colleagues from Pacific in attendance
The WHO Collaborating Centre at the University of Technology Sydney (WHO CC UTS) has a long-standing relationship with senior nursing and midwifery leaders in the Pacific, through its role as Secretariat for the South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers’ Alliance (SPCNMOA) since 2008 www.spcnmoa.com and links with the American Pacific Nursing Leadership Council (APNLC) http://apnlc.blogspot.com/.
In addition to her role as support on the Meeting Panel, WHO CC UTS Director Michele Rumsey was asked to give two presentations over the course of the Meeting.
1. ‘Nursing leadership influencing global and regional policy: South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Alliance (SPCNMOA) 2008-2018’
In this presentation, Michele discussed the professional development of the SPCNMOA staff, and their connection with the Australia Awards Leadership Programs delivered by WHO CC UTS. SPCNMOA Fellows were able to apply new skills in the active utilisation of data and policy to improve the scope of clinical practice, build relationships, public health preparedness and the community capacity throughout the program. Following this leadership development and with support from the SPCNMOA, 85% of program participants have assumed senior roles in nursing and midwifery, 8 have become Chief Nurses, 2 are currently Health Ministers for their respective countries, and others have worked or are working with organisations such as the Global Fund and DFAT.
Networking at its best - colleagues from NZ Nursing Council, Counties Manukau and colleagues from Vanuatu Ministry of Health.
2. ‘The state of midwifery in the small island Pacific Nations: Regional Accreditation Midwifery Gap Analysis (SPCNMOA) 2016-2019’
In this presentation, the findings from a descriptive study which aimed to identify the existing competencies and insufficiencies in midwifery education as compared to global standards were outlined. Findings suggested that while nursing education was mandatory in the 12 countries analysed, only 6 provided midwifery educational training following attainment of a nursing qualification. The study results indicated that insufficient funding, lack of qualified teaching staff, a low caseload for students and a poorly designed curriculum were barriers to the successful uptake and implementation of midwifery education in the Pacific.
PHoN Meeting Outcomes
The meeting will produce a series of recommendations that will be processed through the regional policy infrastructure, SPC Heads of Health and WHO Pacific Health Ministers meeting to be held in Tuvalu in August 2020 covering Healthy Islands concepts. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/how-we-work/pacific-support/pacific-health-ministers-meetings
Meeting Media
Tweets
"Nursing is about care and care is important" Alison McMillan, Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer from Australia, shares the nursing strategy towards 2030 at the #PHoN20 this morning. #PacNurseandMidwife20 #pacifichealth pic.twitter.com/tTpFhc6zX9
ICN CEO @HowardCatton explains the 146th session of the @WHO EB! He explains what the ExecutiveBoard (EB) is, the statements planned from the ICN delegation and the importance of ICN’s attendance especially on this Year of the Nurse and the Midwife - #Nurse and #Midwife: lnkd.in/e4xcqpt #Nurses2020 pic.twitter.com/50wgdHurG2
"We have a regional strategy and one of its core aims is to create a support system for our regional students" Dr Alisi Vudiniabola, Head of School of Nursing @FNUFijiMedical talks about the future of nursing education in #Pacific during #PHoN #PacNurseandMidwife20 #pacifichealth https://twitter.com/spc_live/status/1227709993564200963
Innovative #nursing approaches to #NCDs outlined by Fiji Chief Nursing Officer Margaret Leong in #FijiNews screening at workplaces, visits to wellness clinics using motivational interviews has shown huge improvements and return visits to improve population health pic.twitter.com/dzh64MDVAY
Videos
The Inaugural Pacific Heads of Nursing Meeting is a platform for Pacific Countries to lobby for nursing issues and amplify a united voice for nurses. Listen to what Solomon Islands Heads of Nursing has to say on the importance of this meeting.
Pacific Heads of Nursing Some highlights from this week's inaugural Heads of Nursing Meeting.
https://www.facebook.com/147075582050749/posts/2965270933564519
Tousei Bethel Lesteour Nurses are the first point of contact in health facilities and our communities! Hear more from Vanuatu’s Head Nursing Services Manager, Northern Provincial Hospital, Santo.
https://www.facebook.com/147075582050749/posts/2962809253810687
Making history! Heads of Nursing from 12 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) convened in Nadi, Fiji for the inaugural PHoN Meeting, reflecting the increasing recognition of the essential role nurses play in Pacific health services.
https://www.facebook.com/147075582050749/posts/2958840317540914
Pacific colleagues meet Lord Crisp from Nursing Now