Paul Regan works at FNF Academy member organisation Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and is also a member of FNF’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship SEG. He shares with us the importance of innovation in nursing and midwifery and why nurses and midwives should consider applying for FNF’s new ‘Good Ideas Lab’!
“As a Team Leader and Registered Mental Health Nurse with Cardiff and Vale NHS, I work in the Primary Mental Health Support Service. Beyond my role in the NHS, I co-founded a social enterprise aimed at alleviating the suffering of men in my community. I am also proud to be a member of the Subject Expert Group (SEG) on Innovation and Entrepreneurship with FNF.
The SEG brings together like-minded individuals to drive the agenda of innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides a platform for nurses and midwives at all career stages to share their ideas and find ways to bring them to fruition. Being part of this group has been an enriching experience, allowing me to contribute to broader changes in healthcare.
My journey in the NHS started in 2013 as a bank healthcare support worker during my studies as a Mental Health Nurse. Over the years, I have often felt distanced from the higher echelons of nursing and doubted whether my voice could be heard beyond my immediate role. Then in 2022, I took a leap and shared my idea of establishing a not-for-profit organisation to support men in my local community.
This experience taught me that turning an idea into reality requires speaking up and engaging with the right people. This is exactly what FNF are doing.
I love working in the NHS, but the reality is that it’s big. It can be complicated and tough to navigate. Change can be slow, and understandably, with a large organisation, it’s not just about making a decision and implementing it. This is for good reason. The NHS must carefully consider the impact of any changes on patient care, staff, and resources. Decisions require thorough evaluation, input from various stakeholders, and ensuring that any new initiatives are sustainable and beneficial in the long term. This meticulous approach helps maintain the high standards of care and safety that the NHS is known for, even if it means progress can sometimes be slow. Doing this as a one-man band while managing your day job amidst the chaos that is life is hard.
Being part of the FNF as a Fellow and being a SEG member has opened doors and built connections that have helped me grow as a leader. The SEG has provided a supportive community where my voice is heard, and my ideas are valued. I’m not going to pretend that I’ve changed healthcare, but it’s a start and I feel like I’m onto something special with the FNF.
One of the most exciting initiatives I’m involved in is FNF’s ‘Good Ideas Lab’. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for nurses and midwives to have their voices heard, hone their ideas, and receive support and critique. Healthcare innovations cannot thrive when they remain in your head; they need collaboration and expertise from others to flourish. If you have an idea, applying for the ‘Good Ideas Lab’ could be your next step.
Additionally, participants of the ‘Good Ideas Lab’ benefit from peer support, and skills development opportunities.
The ‘Good Ideas Lab’ offers a dynamic platform for healthcare innovation, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and collaboration. It allows participants to develop and pitch ideas, enhancing their skills and potentially launching impactful innovations that improve patient care and operational efficiency. Through continued skills development, networking, and leadership training, the ‘Good Ideas Lab’ ensures scalability and long-term integration of projects into healthcare systems.
Being part of the FNF and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship SEG, has given me a place to learn and grow. It has shown me that with the right support and platform, nurses and midwives can drive significant changes in healthcare. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and be part of the innovation wave in our profession.
Find out more and apply for FNF’s Good Ideas Lab’ here.
