The role of the ward manager remains pivotal in care delivery. The focus should be on how best to support ward managers in achieving their role within health-care systems.

Care, compassion and effective communication are essential elements of nursing, which must be demonstrated by all nurses and nursing students. These requirements form the basis of the first essential skills cluster, which stipulates key skills and behaviours that must be demonstrated to meet the standards for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This article discusses the core aspects of compassionate care and effective communication and, in doing so, uses examples to demonstrate their use within nursing.

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