Specialist NHS Midlands programme helps NUH lead the way in creating equal leadership opportunities
Three Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) graduates are celebrating after completing the Developing Aspirant Leaders (DAL) programme developed by NHS Midlands.
The programme is designed to enhance the leadership skills of nurses and midwives from minority ethnic backgrounds to enable them to progress in their careers.
Graduates, Dr Takawira Marufu, Hilda Devassy and Liavel Vargas all graduated from the programme in October 2023 with the support and sponsorship of Michelle Rhodes, Chief Nurse at NUH.
Michelle said: “It’s been such an honour to work with Taka, Hilda and Lia over the last year, they are real stars of the future and the DAL programme has helped them to see their potential and give them the networks to move forward. I’d like to thank them for being so open and honest with me, our discussions have been illuminating and the passion and enthusiasm they have shown has inspired me.”
Dr Takawira Marufu, Clinical Academic Nursing Research Lead at Nottingham Children’s Hospitals, explained how the DAL programme facilitates access to equity in leadership opportunities for colleagues from global majority backgrounds and how it has highlighted a positive outlook for the future, he said: “The DAL programme opens up the possibilities of change that we can make to our staff, so that all staff have equity in their career opportunities.”
Liavel Vargas, our very own Institute Senior Nurse for Practice Education at Nottingham City Hospital, added: “Going into the programme and meeting other nurses and midwives from other Trusts, I felt really proud of how inclusive my team at NUH is. The programme made me realise that going into work to provide positive care for somebody is leadership.”
Hilda Devassy, Cancer Associated Specialities Matron for Renal and Renal Transplant, believes the DAL programme stands out from all the rest, she said: “It’s not like any other leadership programme, it address the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds and dials up their strengths.”
Tom Warner, Clinical Workforce Equalities Manager at NHS Midlands, who sits on the DAL programme design team said: “Our ambition for all participants is for them to reach senior leadership positions in the NHS, and this will require sustained efforts from all involved post-programme. We look forward to seeing the successes of our graduates.”
Find out more about the DAL Programme by visiting https://www.england.nhs.uk/midlands/information-for-professionals/the-developing-aspirant-leaders-programme/