Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation




WELCOME TO 2021 It seems that COVID-19 will continue to trouble the world throughout 2021 and our hopes for a return to free movement within and between countries will not be realised, possibly until early 2022. The CNMF Board is currently considering the implications of this reality for the work of the CNMF throughout 2021. We look forward to sharing our plans for 2021 and 2022 with you in the near future. Professor Kathleen McCourt CNMF President __________________________________________ Farewell to International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020. The International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife was meant to be a year-long celebration of the contribution of nurses and midwives to the health of the global population. COVID-19 had other ideas. We began 2020 with high hopes. But instead of celebrations, nurses and midwives have been at the frontline of caring for people infected with COVID-19. It has been a tough year and not at all what we imagined it would be. But one thing this year has demonstrated is that when people need care, nurses and midwives are there, ready to do everything they can to care. It may not have been the year we anticipated, but the people all over the world have really come to appreciate the dedication, commitment and skill of nurses and midwives. Well done, and thank you all.	January 2021 CNMF e_News out now Highlights: * The ICN have issued a call for applications for their 2021 Global Nursing Leadership Institute leadership course, * A New York University survey on the experiences of nurses and midwives working with COVID-19, and * Accessing CPD through the World Continuing Education Alliance. ___________________________________________ COMMONWEALTH CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) TRAJECTORY TRACKER The Commonwealth Secretariat has developed a coronavirus tracker that shows daily cases in member countries. The tracker collects data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and shows the total confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in affected Commonwealth countries. Click here ___________________________________________ COVID-19 2020 is bringing unexpected global challenges with the relentless spread of COVID-19 across the world. Around the world, nurses and midwives are at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19 virus. It is critically important that nurses and midwives keep themselves updated and informed. In the midst of an unprecedented inflow of information, some of it inaccurate, the best and most reliable source of information is the World Health Organisation. Every nurse and midwife should regularly access the WHO website for the latest information. Go to: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019. The WHO has developed short online courses in a range of languages for health workers to update their knowledge and skill to keep them safe. These courses are self-paced and free. Go to: https://openwho.org/courses/. There is also a wide range of guidance material which can be downloaded from the WHO website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance. Guidance material includes the Rights, Roles and Responsibilities of health workers; occupational health and safety; use of masks and PPE; providing home care for people with COVID-19 The WHO has also developed an app using WhatsApp that can be downloaded to your mobile phone that answers common questions, challenges inaccurate myths, provides the latest numbers, and shares the latest news including travel advice. To download the app go to: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-health-alert-brings-covid-19-facts-to-billions-via-whatsapp _	24th CNMF Biennial Meeting of Members The 24th CNMF Biennial Meeting of Members was held Thursday 5 March 2020 in London UK. The meeting received reports from the CNMF President, Executive Secretary and Treasurer. Constitutional changes and two policy statements were endorsed and three policy discussions held: the climate crisis; gender equity; international recruitment of nurses and midwives. A report of the meeting will be available soon. » CNMF 24th Biennial Meeting 2020 Draft Minutes » 24th CNMF Biennial Meeting agenda » Executive Secretary Report » Treasurer Report » Policy Statement on Continuing Professional Development » Policy Statement on the Relationship between Nursing and Midwifery ___________________________________________ 5th Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference A very successful 5th Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference was held 6-7 March 2020 also in London UK. Over 300 nurses and midwives attended from every region of the Commonwealth to network, listen to 126 excellent presentations. The presentations will shortly be uploaded to the CNMF website. » Conference program » Conference Book of Abstracts ___________________________________________ The WHO has released the first State of the World Nursing Report. The report provides the latest, most up to date evidence on and policy options for the global nursing workforce. It also presents a compelling case for considerable, yet feasible, investment in nursing education, employment, and leadership. Download the report at: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/nursing-report-2020.