Kent and Medway nurses given stronger voice through new Nursing Council

To mark International Nurses Day (Tuesday 12 May) Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has launched a new Nursing Council to strengthen the voice of its 1,262 nurses and support improvements in patient care.

Nurses play a central role in delivering mental health care in the area covering inpatient, community, corporate and specialist services for children, young people and adults. As demand for mental health support continues to increase, the trust is strengthening how it supports, develops and promotes its nursing workforce.

The council will bring together nurse representatives from across the trust to make sure the voice of nurses is heard in decision making. The council will help shape decision-making, improve standards of practice and support high-quality, consistent care, with a focus on quality, safety and patient experience.

The trust is proud to have a range of nurses including adult, paediatric, learning disability and mental health, all of whom bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge across its services. 

Julie Kirby, Acting Chief Nurse at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust said:
“Nurses play a critical role in delivering mental health care and supporting patients every day, often working in complex and challenging environments. As demand for services continues to grow, it is more important than ever that we support our workforce and promote mental health nursing as a rewarding and skilled profession.

“The Nursing Council will help us strengthen professional leadership, support our staff and continue to improve the care we provide to patients and their families.”

The new council will provide a structured way for nurses to share learning, raise issues and contribute to service improvement. It will also support professional development, helping to create clearer pathways for career progression and leadership within nursing.

The initiative forms part of a renewed focus on nursing within the trust, recognising the specialist skills required in mental health settings. It will also help raise the profile of nursing in mental health and encourage more people to consider a career in the profession.

By creating a stronger professional voice for nurses, the trust aims to improve consistency in care, reduce variation and support continuous learning across teams.

International Nurses Day provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution of nursing staff across health and care services. The introduction of the Nursing Council reflects the trust’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the workforce and improving support and care for patients.