The North East and North Cumbria Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub has published its August 2026 briefing, highlighting the free, confidential support available to anyone working in health or social care across the region. Demand for the service continues to grow. Between May and July, 755 staff contacted the Hub, including a record 288 referrals in July. The Hub still has capacity to support more people, with 99% of those providing feedback saying they felt listened to and supported, and 92% reporting that the service helped them remain in or return to work. Support when you need it The Hub offers timely appointments with experienced NHS clinicians, followed by […]
An innovative workforce development programme from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for a Regional Healthcare Science Award, recognising its contribution to developing skills, supporting staff and strengthening the future healthcare workforce. The programme was designed to create new opportunities for learning and professional development, helping individuals build the knowledge, confidence and expertise needed to thrive in healthcare science roles. By investing in staff development and creating clear pathways for progression, the initiative is supporting both workforce sustainability and high-quality patient care. The award shortlisting highlights the impact of innovative approaches to workforce development and demonstrates the value of nurturing talent across the health and care system. It […]
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) is transforming staff education through innovative learning methods, including virtual reality (VR), gamification and immersive simulation experiences. Designed to make learning more engaging and memorable, these approaches help staff build confidence, develop skills and apply learning in realistic scenarios. By moving beyond traditional training methods, CDDFT is creating interactive experiences that support workforce development and ultimately improve patient care. The initiative demonstrates how technology and creativity can enhance learning, increase participation and help healthcare professionals retain knowledge more effectively. It also highlights the potential for innovative education techniques to support a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce. This inspiring example will be of […]
A new NHS Leadership and Management Framework has been launched by the NHS College of Leadership and Management alongside new NHS Staff Standards, including the first national staff standard for line management. For the first time, the NHS has a single national framework that clearly defines what excellent leadership and management look like across all professions and career stages. Applicable to both clinical and non-clinical roles, the framework introduces a new Leadership and Management Code and a consistent set of standards designed to support leaders and managers at every level. The launch also marks an important milestone for the newly established NHS College of Leadership and Management, which will act […]
Reception staff play a vital role in general practice, often acting as the first point of contact for patients while managing high demand and complex interactions. As pressures on services continue to grow, supporting the emotional wellbeing of front‑of‑house teams is an important part of building a resilient and effective workforce. A new face‑to‑face workshop offers GP reception staff the opportunity to step back, reflect, and develop practical skills to manage the emotional demands of their role. About the workshop Managing Emotions at Work in General Practice is a practical, supportive session designed specifically for reception teams. It focuses on helping staff better understand emotional labour and develop confidence […]
Applications are now open for Cohort 6 North Cumbria School of Generalism, delivered by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS FT (NCIC). The School of Generalism is hosted by NCIC on behalf of NHS England North East, and is open to staff working across healthcare organisations in North Cumbria, aiming to equip learners with common concepts, understanding and language to help improve patient care. The Trust will again be delivering an innovative program giving the opportunity for up to 30 multi-professional, multi-disciplinary, clinical and administrative/management staff to learn alongside each other. They will gain a common language and shared skills to enable them to better understand, navigate and deliver the increasingly […]
An innovative NHS‑led Student Academy at the University Hospital of Hartlepool is strengthening physiotherapy education through practical, supported learning in real clinical settings. Led by the integrated musculoskeletal (iMSK) physiotherapy team, the programme creates a safe environment for students to apply theory to practice, build confidence and develop clinical judgement early in their careers. Since launching in August 2024, 76 physiotherapy students have taken part across 13 cohorts. Students run supervised clinics for non‑complex cases, gaining valuable one‑to‑one patient experience while being supported by experienced chartered physiotherapists. Feedback highlights the benefits of increased autonomy, reflective learning and feeling embedded as part of a multidisciplinary team. The programme has continued to […]
The North East and Yorkshire Leadership Academy (NEYLA) are excited to announce a new cohort of Future-Fit Leadership – a dynamic series of six standalone masterclasses created to inspire fresh thinking, share proven best practices, and explore the possibilities that lie ahead. Delivered as focused micro-learning sessions, each masterclass equips participants with practical ideas they can immediately apply within their own practice and with their teams. The programme: Session 1: Career Agility in the NHS – Thriving in a Changing Landscape Tuesday 27 January 2026, 12.30pm–2.00pm Session 2: Adaptive Leadership Mindset Thursday 26 February 2026, 12.30pm–2.00pm Session 3: Psychological Maturity – The Next Step in High-Performance Leadership Monday 23 March […]
A four-week Quiet Leadership Programme begins on 9 February 2026, offering NHS staff an alternative approach to leadership rooted in everyday actions, humility and trust. Delivered through weekly 60-minute Zoom sessions, the programme explores leadership as a social movement rather than a formal role. Led by Julian Stodd, author of The Quiet Leadership Guidebook, participants will engage in guided reflection, storytelling, and conversations about the impact of small, intentional actions. The programme aims to strengthen resilience, empathy, authenticity and awareness of how personal behaviours shape culture – an approach well-suited to the NHS as it navigates increasing complexity and digital transformation. Session dates: 9 February 2026 16 February 2026 23 February 2026 2 March […]
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recently held a lively Quality Improvement (QI) conference, shining a light on the great work being done by Lean Practitioner and Service Improvement placements. Led by Gareth Gent and Michelle Geldart, the session brought staff together to explore how Lean methods are helping improve healthcare. Building skills for lasting change The goal of the conference was to help staff get to grips with Lean principles and give them practical tools to lead meaningful improvement projects. Attendees got a look at some QI projects, each showing how Lean thinking can cut down on waste and improve patient care. Key takeaways included: Hands-on experience with […]
