Deputy Minister for Health, Rhona Brankin, will today deliver the keynote address at a major nursing partnership conference hosted by the University of Glasgow.

The conference entitled 'Caring For All: Valuing Diversity and Supporting Equality" will examine topics ranging from accessing the skills of overseas health professionals seeking asylum in Scotland, to services for children and older people.

The conference will also host the launch of NHS Greater Glasgow Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, which is based around a close partnership with the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University, encouraging academia to work together to train and develop the kind of nurses required for the future. The strategy was drawn up following consultation involving nurses and midwives working across NHS Greater Glasgow.

MSP Rhona Brankin comments:

'Recognising, valuing and celebrating diversity is something that I am passionate about. The innovative ways that NHS Greater Glasgow have approached the delivery of accessible patient care, health information and recruitment processes really demonstrate that the founding principle of the NHS, fair access to health care, is more relevant now than ever. The fact that diversity and inclusion are the themes of the event today signals the importance that these issues have for the NHS in Scotland.'

Rosslyn Crocket, Nurse Director, NHS Greater Glasgow Health, said: 'One of the reasons why we are focussing in on this topic is because it is in line with national policy which is to demonstrate that nursing in Greater Glasgow is adaptable to dealing with a variety of different cultures and different beliefs. The role of the conference is about demonstrating how we go about this.'

Referring to the training strategy, Ms Crocket continued: 'What we are preparing new nurses to do is to work as part of the multi-disciplinary team and we are working with universities to enhance nursing skills and competencies.

'These will include nurses working in new ways which are traditionally the domain of medical staff, such as treating minor injuries and minor illnesses. These are strategies which will be developed with the universities and ourselves.'

Professor Sir John Arbuthnott, NHS Greater Glasgow's Chairman, said:

'I wholeheartedly support this new pan Glasgow Nursing and Midwifery Strategy as it sees NHS Greater Glasgow developing and encouraging the role of nurses - unlocking their potential and delivering a more integrated health care system.

'The role of the nurse is changing. As these senior nurse practitioner roles are further developed it will become more and more common to see highly skilled nurses carrying out procedures that were once only carried out by medical staff.'

Today's conference takes place at the Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow 9am and 4.45pm.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further details please call the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535 or NHS Greater Glasgow Press Office on 0141 305 0305.

First published: 21 June 2005