Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network launch specialist Nursing Competency Framework

The Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN) is launching an innovative new competency framework, which aims to enhance nursing skills in a complex rehabilitation setting.

Focusing on sixteen domains, the Nursing Competency Framework in Specialist Rehabilitation encompasses key skills relevant to specialist clinical areas. Areas covered range from neurological and respiratory care to psychological and mental health care. Each domain has three levels of competency, from competent to highly specialised and is designed to meet the training needs of all non-registered and registered members of the nursing team.

CMRN Manager Angela Harrison said: “The network is a collaboration between our commissioners and our partner organisations which provide a high-quality patient rehabilitation service.

“Continued education and training is a key priority for the network, and the framework is an excellent example of this, and it also recognises the ongoing complexity of the nature of our patients.”

CMRN, hosted by The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, includes seven inpatient units across the region, with 103 beds. Each unit is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, combining specialist healthcare workers with dedicated rehab environments.

Assistant Chief Nurse for Neurology and Rehabilitation at The Walton Centre Sarah Flynn said: “I’m really excited to be launching the framework for the healthcare staff in the network! There are 16 core domains which staff will be able to work through, recognising the knowledge and skills required for complex rehabilitation care. It highlights the important work our nurses do to support patients recovering from traumatic injuries.”

The British Society of Physical & Rehab Medicine (BSPRM) Standard says that 30-45% of nursing staff working in rehabilitation should receive specialist training. The framework was created to match this standard for our healthcare population.

Chair of the BSPRM Educational Committee and Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine Dr Fahim Anwar said: “This framework is more than just a training tool — it’s a way to support and empower the nursing teams and wider MDT, giving them the skills and confidence to provide the best possible care for their patients.

“Rehabilitation nursing is a highly specialised field, and this framework reflects the network’s commitment to ensuring that every nurse and healthcare assistant has the training, knowledge, and support they need to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.”

CMRN Clinical Lead and Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine Dr Ganesh Bavikatte said: “Implementing the Framework is a great way to raise the profile of the Rehabilitation Nurse and HCA and to support nursing staff and teams in evidencing and further developing competencies across key domains to support our patients and families as part of the rehab MDT."  

CMRN Ward Manager Julie McKiernan said: “A lot of our patients are very complex, and it’s not just one discipline that can look after them and help them get better. We all have to work together as a team to get the best outcomes for our patients. I’m delighted that we have been able to work together to get this competency framework online to enhance the specialist nursing on offer.”

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Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611