Former chief nurses have called for greater investment in resources devoted to the role to strengthen the leadership and influence of nursing at the policy table, writes Linda Belardi.

Former department chief nurses in NSW and the Northern Territory have called for the position to be given more recognition by the country's leaders and be adequately resourced. Adjunct Professor Kathy Baker, a former chief nurse with the NSW Health Department, said significant investment was necessary if nursing was to keep delivering high-level leadership to the health system. "Nationally, as well as at a state level, the chief nursing and midwifery officer positions need to be appropriately resourced. There also needs to be a greater level of co-operation and co-ordination between the...