St Andrew's Healthcare launches programme to “nurture and invest in’ ward managers’ development

A programme to support Ward Managers to hone their leadership and management capabilities while ensuring they stay at the leading edge of clinical practice has been launched by St Andrew's Healthcare.

The initiative - which follows on from the recent launch of the complex mental health charity’s Healthcare Assistant Development programme, is another example of how it is focussing on investing in staff and nurturing talent at all levels.

The new Ward Management Development programme aims to provide a clear pathway for managers to transfer learning onto wards to improve capability and performance, while empowering learners to personalise their learning to meet their particular needs.

The course – which has been developed with subject matter experts from across the charity - consists of eight modules, focussing on subjects such as compassionate leadership, team dynamics, personal resilience, team culture, business and commerciality, and leading for quality care. It has been co-produced where possible, with patients involved in shaping various modules to ensure it fully represents the areas they find most important.

Ward Manager Eloise Anderson, who is in charge of Danbury, a low secure male mental illness ward located at St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Essex site, has been at the charity for 11 years.

She said: “Before starting the programme, I hoped to achieve extra knowledge around my job role - but since completing the first module I now understand I need to learn about myself, my management style, and how this impacts on others. I have also learnt that there are areas which I need to work on that don’t come naturally to myself, and these will help me to improve my leadership skills and how others may perceive me.

"I believe the programme will make me a better manager and colleague. I am hoping to see both staff and patients happier on the ward and within their roles."

In total, 47 ward managers from the charity will be taking part in the programme in year one, across four groups. The divisional leadership team have nominated two Ward Managers from each division per cohort, to ensure a mix of experience, competence and background.

Veecash Jeeawock is a Ward Manager on Frinton ward, one of St Andrew's psychiatric intensive care units.

He said: “I have spent 24 years to working for the charity and hope that this training will enhance my knowledge, consolidate my experience, and improve my leadership skills. Additionally, I look forward to gaining deeper insights into myself as a person, a manager, and a leader.

“On a personal development level, I aim to increase my self-confidence in leadership and decision-making abilities, and learn to adapt to changing healthcare environments and policies with resilience and innovation. Enhancing patient care is another critical goal, because everything we do is for the patients, inspiring hope so they are geared towards their recovery goals and excited for their future.

“Having only just started the programme I can see it’s going to help me to adopt new strategies and approaches that will prioritise patient care. I believe the programme will significantly improve my work, my ward, and my career. “

Nigel Woodcock, Learning and Development Manager, said: "Our purpose is hope, and we believe that everyone living with complex mental health needs should be heard, valued, and have hope for their future.

“We are absolutely committed to delivering quality care and this means investing in our staff. This innovative programme has been designed to achieve a variety of learning outcomes that will ensure our Ward Managers have the leadership and clinical expertise required to meet the challenges and demands of delivering high quality mental healthcare, now and in the future.

"Our staff support people around the clock, and this programme has been designed to ensure all our Ward Managers have the skills required to lead high-performing teams. We’re completely committed to ensuring quality of care for our patients is of an exceptionally high standard, which is why we are investing in the leaders of the future. Our next phase will look at rolling out similar training for our approximately 100 Deputy Ward Managers, to further prepare them for future progression in clinical leadership."