Nurse-led social enterprise

As the government seeks to increase plurality of providers in primary care, we can anticipate increases in the number of social enterprises, nurse entrepreneurs and nurse-led primary care services. In terms of our policy position, the RCN considers that;

As Community Interest Companies, where Social Enterprises are used to provide health and community services, their governance arrangements must enable fullest input from their staff as members or shareholders.

These Companies must also ensure that their governance arrangement enable full representation of full users, patients and public interest.

These future Social Enterprises must recognise value and support the development of nursing practice by offering professional education opportunities, career progression, benefits and rewards which are at least equivalent to those within the NHS.

Where there is an intention to use social enterprise as a model for the provision of NHS services, a full consultation on the proposals and their implications must be undertaken to include staff members, staff side organisations and key stakeholders, including patients and carers.

For further information, please email papa.ukintl.dept@rcn.org.uk