Patients to benefit from expansion of NHS talent development programme
A talent development programme designed to support senior leaders in the NHS from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds that has already helped almost 200 staff has now been expanded, supporting more staff to build leadership skills, boost their confidence and enhance the quality of patient care.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) introduced the award-winning Resilience, Intelligence, Strength, and Excellence (RISE) programme four years ago to increase representation of senior leaders from diverse ethnic backgrounds and promote equal opportunities for all staff.
Now offered to staff working for NHS service providers across the wider local health system, it’s meant 20 staff from EPUT, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board and Provide have recently graduated.
Paul Taylor, Director of Organisational Development and Culture at EPUT, said: "Across the Mid and South Essex system, we benefit from having a diverse workforce with an incredible breadth of talent, much of which can go untapped.”
One of the graduates, Maureen Mahero, an education facilitator at Basildon Hospital, explained how it has boosted her confidence. She said: “Being someone originally from Kenya coming to a new country and seeing people in the leadership team and saying yes I want to develop myself and grow to those leadership roles, I’ve wondered how can I get there. As much as I know what I am doing sometimes I look back and reflect on what pulls me back.”
One of the graduates, Allen Dixit, a staff nurse working in Orthopaedics at Basildon Hospital, explained how he will use the skills and pass his learning on to others. He said: “The RISE programme is nurturing future leaders. All those who have completed the programme will be making good changes in the NHS in a few years’ time.”
Special guests attending the graduation ceremony included Liz Fenton OBE, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NHS England and RISE patron; Dr Joan Myers OBE, a consultant and advisor to the NHS, Rohit Sagoo, founder of the British Sikh Nurses association and Wendy Olayiwola, president of the Nigeria Nurses Charitable Association UK.
Dr Sharon McDonald, Senior Head of System Workforce at NHS Mid and South Essex ICB, who also attended the graduation, said: “It was inspiring to see the quality improvement projects presented by the incredible staff who recently completed this programme. This highlights the real impact this programme has on delivering the best care in the NHS.”