Developing the national community nursing plan

Community nurses provide invaluable, expert care in households and communities throughout England. They are critical to maintaining health and supporting citizens to live well through every phase of life and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and capacity in response to the new and challenging demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating incredible commitment and resilience, community nurses have provided critical treatment and support to patients while also leading the way in adapting to the use of new digitally enabled technology.

Investment in the strategic development of community nursing services is essential for the successful delivery of the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS, 2019) and continued transformation of health and care services as integrated care systems prepare for the legislative change that will provide them with the statutory basis to achieve greater integration of health and care services; improve population health and reduce inequalities; support productivity and sustainability of services; and help the NHS to support social and economic development.