Nursing Times Workforce Summit
If you would like to present a case study at the Workforce events in 2025 please contact Desiree De Cecchis, Senior Conference Producer, desiree.dececchis@emap.com
View the 2024 programme below.
Registration and morning refreshments
09:05 – 09:15
Welcome remarks
Steve Ford, editor, Nursing Times
09:15 – 09:45
Keynote & Q&As: The vision for the NHS Nursing and Midwifery Workforce: Progress and opportunities
This session provides an overview of significant milestones and achievements since the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan's publication. Over the past year, the NHS has welcomed 17,600 more nurses and expanded medical school places by 25% to meet future workforce demands and address projected staff shortages by 2036/37. Join us to explore these developments and the opportunities they present for the nursing and midwifery workforce
Professor Mark Radford, Deputy chief nursing officer – policy, research and system transformation, NHS England
09:45 – 10:30
Panel Discussion: Health and Care Workforce Long-Term Plan: Achievements and Challenges
A deep dive into the progress being made one year on from the publication of the NHS Workforce Long-Term Plan and a discussion on how the recently published Social Care Workforce strategy will complement the health and care long term plans.
- Overview of progress made since the publication of the NHS Long-Term Plan
- Overview of the Social Care Workforce Strategy
- Key achievements in training the future workforce
- Research evidence on temporary staffing, skill mix and planning staffing on hospital wards
- Innovations and transformations in nursing and midwifery practice
Chair: Steve Ford, editor , Nursing Times
Ed Hughes, chief executive, Council Of Deans Of Health
Christina Saville, lecturer, University of Southampton
Lucy Gillespie, National Professional Lead - Regulated Professional Workforce , Skills for Care
10:30 – 11:00
Morning refreshments, networking and exhibition
Ideas exchange
Designed to allow the audience to network and consider several workforce priorities. Each session will feature an introduction to the session topics and a panel to share feedback from the discussions. Choose which round table discussion to attend or join the panel discussions stream.
11:00 – 12:20
Education and training – Main stage
Strategic panel discussions and expert keynotes with Q&A sessions
Presentation: Embracing the Voice of Learners; The Safe Learning Environment Charter (SLEC).
11:00 – 11:30
This session offers an in-depth exploration of the current needs of learners, focusing on reducing attrition and preparing the future workforce. It will highlight the key priorities and solutions of the SLEC, outlining essential principles for education and placement providers, assessors, supervisors, learners, and professionals across the health and care system. The session will emphasise the fundamental cultural elements that must underpin our learning environments.
Kerri Eilertsen-Feeney , lead midwife, Workforce, Training & Education Directorate (WT&E), NHS England
Alison Lathwell , deputy director of nursing and midwifery workforce, training and education, NHS England
Panel Discussion: Implementation of the NHS Workforce Long-Term Education and Training Plan
11:30 – 12:20
A strategic discussion on ways to help with the implementation of the NHS Workforce long term plan on education and training including:
- Educational enhancements and differentcareer trajectories
- Presenting data on education and supervision.
- Apprenticeships and training Reforms
- Data-driven Evaluation: the Social Impact of OET
Dawn Hennefer, Deputy Director Nursing and Midwifery, University of Salford
Raluca Oaten, Policy and Research Associate, Florence Nightingale Foundation
Brigita Seguis, Head of Impact Evaluation, Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUPA)
Transformation - Ideas exchange
Choose the round table with the topic closer to your heart for an interactive session with your peers, guided by an expert moderator.
Focussing on transforming nursing practice and workforce culture to improve patient care and safety.
Intro panel: Round tables topics
11:00 – 11:10
- Simulation and digital learning implementation.
- Flexible working initiatives
- Redressing inequalities of internationally trained nurses
Sue Cox, Associate Chief Nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Dilla Davis , Lecturer in Nursing Education , King’s College
Paula Holt, Senior Nursing Adviser, Professional Practice Directorate, NMC
Round tables discussions
11:10 – 11:50
Flexible working initiatives
Sue Cox, Associate Chief Nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Redressing inequalities of internationally trained nurses:
Supporting Information From Employers (SIFE) implementation- the essentials
Dr Dilla Davis Lecturer in Nursing Education, King's College London
Dr. Agimol Pradeep BEM, Senior Transplant Coordinator, Kings College Hospital
Simulation and digital learning implementation
Paula Holt, Senior Nursing Adviser, Professional Practice Directorate, NMC
Transformation Ideas exchange - Feedback discussion panel
11:50 – 12:20
- What common challenges have been highlighted in the discussions?
- What advice would you offer to overcome these challenges?
- What actions or pledges would you like delegates to take away from this session?
12:20 – 13:20
Lunch, networking and exhibition
13:20 – 14:40
Retention Main stage
Strategic panel discussions and expert keynotes with Q&A sessions
Supporting a Speak-Up Culture for a Healthier Work Environment
13:20 – 13:50
Explore strategies to promote a culture of open communication, fostering a healthier work environment and enhancing safety practices. Discover ways to encourage transparency and accountability in healthcare settings, empowering individuals to express concerns and share insights without fear.
Beth Carter,
national lead guardian support and policy, National Guardians Office
Panel discussion: Boosting retention and morale in nursing: Career development and inclusivity
13:50 – 14:40
This panel discussion will address critical strategies for enhancing staff retention and morale within the nursing and midwifery workforce including:
- Examples of career development and CPD programmes
- Addressing issues of bullying and incivility and staff psychological wellbeing at work
- Strategies for supporting people with visible and invisible disabilities in their career advancement
- Driving inclusivity and team working across your entire workforce to support retention and morale
Professor Jill Maben OBE , Professor of Health Services Research and Nursing, University of Surrey
Eleanor McManus, associate director of education, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Juliette Cosgrove, Chief Nurse, Director of Clinical Governance and Managing Director of NHS Professionals Academy, NHS Professionals
Beverley Sawer, lead senior intern / recruitment nurse , Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust
Education & Training Ideas exchange
Choose the round table with the topic closer to your heart for an interactive session with your peers, guided by an expert moderator.
Round table discussions dedicated to education and training advancements and reforms.
Intro panel: Round tables topics
13:20 – 13:30
- Supporting healthcare assistants transitioning to nursing roles.
- From Paper to ePortfolio: Streamlining Training, Certification, and Competency Assessment
- Strengthening the clinical educator workforce to meet future demand
Paul Matthews, CEO, author, People alchemy
Carol Snape, senior nurse manager practice education, Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Raluca Oaten
, Policy and Research Associate, Florence Nightingale Foundation
Round tables discussions
13:30 – 14:10
Supporting healthcare assistants transitioning to nursing roles.
Questions for the table:
Carol Snape, senior nurse manager practice education, Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
From Paper to ePortfolio: Streamlining Training, Certification, and Competency Assessment
Questions for the table:
- How are you digitising training and certificates? Could you do it better?
- How to digitise the observational assessment process for clinical competencies?
- Lessons learned from using an ePortfolio at Stockport NHS
Paul Matthews , CEO, Author, People alchemy
Education Ideas exchange Feedback discussion panel
14:10 – 14:40
- What common challenges have been highlighted in the discussions?
- What advice would you offer to overcome these challenges
- What actions or pledges would you like delegates to take away from this session?
14:40 – 15:10
Afternoon refreshments, networking and exhibition
15:10 – 16:30
Transformation - Main stage
Strategic panel discussions and expert keynotes with Q&A sessions
Presentation: Embracing Simulation and Competency-Based Education: Transforming Nurse education and training.
15:10 – 15:40
In the evolving landscape of healthcare, preparing a nursing workforce adept at meeting future challenges is paramount. This session will explore the integration of simulated practice learning and competency-based approaches to nurse education and training. Drawing on insights from the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) recent evaluations, and promotion of professionally and occupationally aligned educational frameworks, we will discuss how these innovative approaches may enhance professional confidence and competence, foster adaptability, and prepare nurses to deliver high-quality, patient-centred holistic care in increasingly demanding and complex healthcare environments.
- Insights from the NMC's evaluation of simulated practice learning and its implications for nurse education.
- Exploration of professionally and occupationally aligned, competency-based approaches to education and training.
- Strategies for integrating technology and simulation into nursing curricula to prepare nurses for expanded roles and responsibilities.
- Addressing challenges in implementing these educational innovations and ensuring equitable access to resources.
Paula Holt, Senior Nursing Adviser, Professional Practice Directorate, NMC
Panel discussion: Building a future-ready nursing and midwifery workforce
15:40 – 16:30
Transforming the healthcare system is the fucus of the NHS Long term workforce plan, this panel will discuss steps taken to make the best of the incoming technologies and the route forward to expanding nurses roles and responsabilities. Including:
- Adoption and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology Integration
- Expanded roles and responsibilities of nursing and midwifery staff
- Patient-centred and integrated care models
- Exploration of the nexus between IT and the clinical side
Tracey Collins, head of international nursing & workforce, Devon Alliance for International Recruitment
Alyson Brett, managing director , NHS commercial solutions , NHS Workforce Alliance
Beatrix Fletcher, programme manager – NHS fellowship in clinical AI and AI programme manager , Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Retention Ideas exchange
Choose the round table with the topic closest to your heart for an interactive session with your peers, guided by an expert moderator.
Focusing on employee retention through robust strategies that prioritise wellbeing, continuous professional development (CPD), and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
Intro panel: Round tables topics
15:10 – 15:20
- Mentorship
Anna Page, deputy Chief Nurse, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Ray Ben Goto
, Lead Senior Intern,
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Strategies for supporting people with visible and invisible disabilities in their career advancement.
Paul Deemer
, head of diversity and inclusion,
NHS Employers
- Career FastTrack development initiatives/ strengths based career coaching.
Julie Hogg, Chief Nurse, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Round tables discussions
15:20 – 16:00
Retention Feedback discussion panel
16:00 – 16:30
- What common challenges have been highlighted in the discussions?
- What advice would you offer to overcome these challenges?
- What actions or pledges would you like delegates to take away from this session?
16:30 – 17:00
Keynote & Q&As
The role of professional judgment on staffing systems.
Professor Dame Anne Marie Rafferty CBE
, professor of nursing policy,
King’s College London
17:00
Closing remarks