Empowering Nurses: New leadership programme launches in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

A new leadership programme designed to empower nurses in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes launched today (22 March 2023).

Thirty-eight nurses will be undertaking the programme, with the first session having taken place today at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick.

The programme was designed using feedback gathered from 70 local GP nurses. It aims to empower nurses and help them to develop their teams to their full potential.

While the programme was originally designed for GP nurses, five nurses from Bedford Hospital will also be participating.

Janet Thornley, Strategic Primary Care Nurse Lead for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re really excited to launch this new leadership programme for nurses from across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

“Both GP nurses and hospital nurses are crucial parts of the NHS workforce, providing essential care and support to patients in the community and in hospital, and playing a key role in delivering high-quality, sustainable healthcare services for the future.

“This course will help nurses to regain their voices, be empowered at work, and feel better able to lead and influence change across their teams – which will ultimately lead to better care for our patients.”

The programme will feature guest speakers from a range of backgrounds, with topics including “The future of nursing in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes” and “Developing brave leaders and thriving teams”.

The year-long programme will predominantly run via monthly online sessions, with a final face-to-face event set to conclude the course in February 2024. Find out more about careers in nursing on the NHS Health Careers website