Nursing expert takes up national role

Professor Laura Serrant has been seconded to the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s team for a year as Research Lead for Compassion in Practice.

She will lead the national evaluation of the three-year strategy, which was launched in 2012 as the nursing response to the Francis report into Mid Staffordshire NHS hospital trust.

Laura Serrant is Professor of Community and Public Health Nursing and Director of Research and Enterprise in the University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing. 

Professor Serrant has also recently been named as one of the leading lights in the healthcare profession on two prestigious lists.

Health Service Journal has named her as one of the 2014 BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Pioneers and also one of the Clinical Leaders of 2014.

She said: “This is a great opportunity to utilise academic and clinical expertise to help evidence the impact of nursing efforts to ensure that the quality of care people receive in future is compassionate and of the highest standard – so we can do our utmost to take forward the lessons learned from the Francis enquiry.”

Compassion in Practice is the three-year vision and strategy for nursing, midwifery and care staff drawn up by Jane Cummings, the Chief Nursing Officer for England (CNO) at the NHS Commissioning Board, and Viv Bennett, Director of Nursing at the Department of Health.

Professor Serrant will take up the role for 12 months, initially working three days a week. She will continue her role at the University until March 2015 and will then complete the final period of secondment full time with NHS England.

The Health Service Journal BME Pioneers list celebrates individuals from BME backgrounds who, through exceptional leadership abilities or their day to day example, are inspiring others and helping to shape and deliver excellent care for all.

Meanwhile the Clinical Leaders list celebrates those working in healthcare who not only excel in their professional specialism, but whose impact extends beyond their professional sphere and has an impact and influence on health policy, service transformation and innovation.

ENDS


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