The Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) is proud to join the Burdett Trust for Nursing’s new partnership programme, Stronger Together. As part of a collective of six nursing charities dedicated to supporting nursing, midwifery and health visiting, we will work together to create long-term, positive impact for the professions and the communities they serve.
FNF’s contribution will focus on a pilot programme to strengthen maternity services across the UK. Our work will centre on enhancing the partnership of Chief Nurses/Executive Directors of Nursing and Chief Midwifery Officers/Directors of Midwifery, to lead safer, more equitable, compassionate and high-performing system-wide maternity services together.
A Programme Built on Partnership
The 12-month executive leadership programme will be co-designed with an Expert Stakeholder Group, including the Royal College of Midwives, UK Chief Nursing Officers, Chief Midwifery Officers, and women’s advocacy and lived experience organisations, bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives. It will be mapped against the NHS England Management & Leadership Framework.
FNF’s mission is to develop nurse and midwife leaders at every career stage, enabling them to stay, thrive, lead and transform health and care. The proven ripple effect of our leadership development approach means that this programme will benefit multidisciplinary teams, organisations and systems, ultimately improving equity, safety, culture and quality of care for women, babies and families.
Leadership That Meets the Moment
FNF’s CEO, Professor Greta Westwood CBE, RN, said: “We are delighted to be part of this new programme, funded by the Burdett Trust for Nursing. It’s by working together in partnership that we can share learning, strengthen leadership, and ultimately have the greatest impact on the nursing and midwifery professions and the communities we serve. Considering the recent findings of the Independent Review of Maternity Services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, there is an urgent need to strengthen UK maternity services. We must equip nursing and midwifery leaders with the confidence and capability to challenge entrenched cultures, redesign care around women and families, and hold systems accountable for equitable outcomes.”
Our vision is a global community of influential nurse and midwife leaders creating lasting change across health and care. This new partnership is a step towards that future.
