Quality assurance for nursing and midwifery education: an analysis of the approach in England

The main purpose of this paper is to discuss conceptual and policy developments for external quality assurance for nurse and midwifery education in England. The current framework was implemented in the academic year 1998/99, and is the subject of a three year evaluation commissioned by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery & Health Visiting (ENB). The methods which are being used to evaluate the quality assurance arrangements will be discussed within the context of nursing and midwifery education and practice. The ultimate aim of professionally accredited nursing and midwifery education is to ensure the development of practitioners who are fit for purpose, practice and award. It follows that the quality assurance processes should have the capacity to demonstrate the extent to which professional education meets this aim. This paper will discuss this issue, with particular emphasis on the collaborative review process which is being undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency and the statutory body for nursing, midwifery and health visiting education. The paper concludes with a discussion of the changes proposed by the government for nursing and midwifery education, and considers the potential impact for quality assurance of health care education.