Learning, listening and looking forward: My first 90 days as CEO at NHSP

Nicola Mcqueen

Business leaders of today are often asked what they will achieve or have achieved in their first 90 or 100 days and it is often difficult in that timeframe to stop, pause and reflect. However, having taken stock with my team and spent time with our talented members and Trust partners (hopefully you have seen some of my LinkedIn and Twitter posts about this), I am pleased to be able to report back to you on what has been a very positive experience.

 

Our People

The first thing I would highlight is the inspiring and fantastic people I have met over the last 3 months in my role. Whether I have been spending time with teams in our South or North hubs, or with our onsite teams at our Trust partners, the great ideas, positivity and enthusiasm for the work we do for the NHS is inspiring. We are welcoming new people all the time to our NHSP family and I have committed to ensuring we have the systems, structures and processes in place continue to make NHSP a fantastic place to work. I, along with the whole Executive Management Team (some of whom are also fresh in post) are focussed on our role at the heart of the NHS and we know we couldn’t do it without our corporate teams.

Our Members

Critical to our success are our 130,000+ members and one thing that is clear from meeting a number of them over the last 90 days, is the importance of their experience with us during registration, placement and beyond. As well as our fantastic nursing and midwifery professionals, I have been really pleased to see how our recruitment services in areas such as doctors, AHP’s and admin and clerical are growing to meet the ever-changing needs of the NHS and enhancing member experience. Similarly, I have been pleased to see how our international business is developing as we continue to welcome highly skilled overseas professionals to start their career in the NHS and grow our NHSP family. All our staff groups are developing, and we know the service we provide must develop and improve too.

Our Trust Partners

One of the most exciting parts of the last 90 days, has been going out to our client partner Trusts and understanding how we are working with them. Whether it is celebrating service success, or solving challenges, having these conversations face to face with Trusts and our NHSP team has been invaluable. In response to client feedback, we have also restructured our Trust teams to ensure a more tailored and focussed service for our clients. In September, I committed to doing ten of these client visits, but have actually visited a dozen and have more booked for the New Year. As we continue to welcome new Trusts to NHSP, as well as renew our partnerships with our existing 50+ clients, it is only through spending time and having conversations like this that we can truly lead in providing the workforce solutions the NHS needs for 2020 and beyond.

Our Future

So, the past 90 days, like the first 30, have been a whirlwind of activity, excitement and challenge – all of which I thrive on and I am excited for what lies ahead. As well as being the Chief Executive Officer, in my first message, I also said I would be the Chief Engagement Officer – and I will continue to be this. My hands-on style means I will regularly be out “in the field”, staying connected to clients, members and colleagues.

I believe it is only by learning, listening and looking forward, with all our stakeholders, that we will succeed in our goal to improve the healthcare experience of the nation every day and I look forward to working with all of you to do just that.

Kind regards,

Nicola McQueen