PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Health Services (27 June 2014)

We recognise that the 6Cs - Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage and Commitment - the values and behaviours of the Compassion in Practice, Nursing, Midwifery and Care Staff, Our Vision and Strategy, published in December 21012, to deliver high quality companionate care and to achieve excellent health and wellbeing outcomes, are contributing to improved patient and staff experience and safety.

Many trusts have signed up and rewritten their organisational strategy around the 6Cs and other health professionals have adopted the 6Cs into their practice across the National Health Service and social care.

During the past 12, the number of Care Makers - who act as ambassadors for the 6Cs – has continued to flourish and there are currently more than 1,200 throughout England. Care Makers have expanded beyond nursing, midwifery and care family, to include other professions such as allied health professionals, doctors, chaplains and commissioners.

To ensure that this significant cultural change is developed across all NHS and social care professions, NHS England is hosting an event (on 4 July), for senior leaders from the NHS and social care, clinical and non-clinical, in conjunction with the Clinical Leaders Network. Attendees include patient advocates, representatives from partners including the Hospital Caterers Association and clinical colleagues who have actively engaged with the 6Cs and are eager to promote their spread and uptake among other disciplines.

The event aims to act as a springboard for individuals and organisations that are interested in listening to and sharing learning and good practice to engage their workforces to embed the values of the 6Cs across all professions and levels in healthcare practice.