Elevating Social Care Nursing: Why It's Time for Parity with Healthcare Nursing

Last week, I joined the Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils (SCNACs) , a collective of dedicated professionals working to elevate the role of nursing within social care. This council, led by the incredible Prof. Deborah Sturdy, is focused on ensuring that social care nursing is recognised on an equal footing with healthcare nursing—a shift that we know is not only necessary but also beneficial for the NHS and the broader health and social care system.

Social care nursing has long been the unsung hero of our healthcare ecosystem. While healthcare nursing is rightly celebrated for its critical role within the NHS, the equally vital contributions of social care nurses often go unrecognised.

The work we do in social care isn’t just about supporting individuals with their daily needs; it’s about providing holistic, person-centered care that addresses complex health conditions, promotes independence, and enhances quality of life.

It's about long-term well-being.

The SCNAC is committed to addressing this imbalance. One of our key priorities is to advocate for the professionalisation of social care nursing, ensuring that social care nurses receive the recognition, support, and opportunities for development that they deserve. We are also focused on aligning national and regional priorities to create a more cohesive approach to care—one that recognizes the unique expertise of social care nurses and integrates it fully into the broader healthcare landscape.

This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about effectiveness. Elevating social care nursing to the same level as healthcare nursing will have tangible benefits for the NHS. By acknowledging the expertise of social care nurses and integrating our work more closely with healthcare services, we can reduce hospital admissions, improve outcomes for people with complex needs, and ultimately create a more sustainable and effective health and care system.

The SCNAC’s work is just beginning, but I am confident that together, we can drive the changes needed to ensure that social care nursing is finally seen as the vital, skilled profession it truly is.

I’m excited to contribute to this important mission and to work alongside so many passionate colleagues to shape the future of social care.