Julie joined the organization in December 2019. Within months then we were thrust into a global pandemic. Julie led the NM & ANP workforce this from the front, always being creative in her approach. Many projects had to be delivered at pace throughout all of this. She has ensured colleagues have been supported, particularly when the pressures have been difficult. Julie has been unique and creative in her approach and inspirational in her ideas for getting the job done. We’ve opened additional capacity where we would not have dreamed of doing so previously, and we have opened care home facilities in Mansfield Community Hospital and a nursing home in the local area. Julie has brought to the Trust the concept of ‘regular’ cupcake events, to ensure that the staff feels valued and recognised for the contribution they make to delivering outstanding care to patients.

Maternity Oversight: Julie as a Registered Midwife has supported maternity across the region, working alongside Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals and Nottingham University Hospitals. As a Registered Midwife, Julie has been the voice of midwifery at the Board of Directors, which has supported the development and the growth of our maternity services. She has successfully implemented the Safety walk-round in Maternity with the Trust’s chair to allow staff to speak openly. In response to national incidents involving maternity service, Julie has proactively compassionately offered support to the team.

Strategic developments: Julie has introduced some inspirational strategic projects which will continue to be implemented when she leaves.
The DAISY Award is a positive way to acknowledge staff for the good work that they do and is a nationally recognized tool for creating positivity within nursing and midwifery, and supports the retention of our staff.

Strengths-Based Recruitment was an inspirational approach to ensuring that the recruitment of staff who have the same values and beliefs as the team and ensure a positive approach to developing teams.

Pathway 2 Excellence is another great American idea to create positivity within nursing and support a bottom-up approach through shared governance councils, and ensure our staff are leading and making the decisions about our areas.

Development of the senior nursing team: Julie has developed and brought new roles to the organisation, with the creation of the Chief Nursing Informatics Officer to support the leadership within nursing on the informatics agenda. She has coached and developed senior leaders to step forward to take the lead on programs resulting in them being stronger leaders. She has allowed others with a variety of strengths and experiences to be developed in the areas that they felt they needed development. She has undertaken regular walk-rounds at the Trust in the evening to speak to staff and meet with them to allow them time to talk and speak about concerns or good things.

Nursing, Midwifery & AHP Strategy: Julie has been pivotal in the joining of the two strategies, to support the way forward for Nursing, Midwifery, and AHP.