Chief Nursing Officer visits UEA’s leading training programme
By: Communications
Header image: L-R Sally Hardy (Director of NICHE), Rene Grey (Professional Lead for Physiotherapy & NICHE Fellow, James Paget University Hospital NHS FT), Anca Mena (Community Learning Disabilities Nurse & NICHE Fellow, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust), Duncan Burton (CNO), Bonnie Teague (Head of Research & NICHE Fellow, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS FT), Emma Clark (Consultant Nurse in Palliative & End of Life Care, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn, NHS FT) and Jonathan Webster (Co-Director of NICHE).
The Chief Nursing Officer for England, Duncan Burton visited UEA in April to see for himself how UEA’s leading work is transforming care for people living in coastal and rural communities across the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) is an anchor institution for the Norfolk Initiative for Coastal and Rural Health Equalities (NICHE) which works to improve health inequalities across rural and coastal communities
Its aims are to:
- Sustain health and wellbeing for those who live and work in our region
- Share learning and best practice, scale-up evidence for sustainable improvements, across our workforce and integrated care system
Rural and coastal areas often experience health inequalities due to factors like remoteness, limited access to services, and specific environmental conditions. These challenges can lead to disparities in health outcomes and access to care.
In rural areas such as Norfolk and Waveney, residents are much less likely to live within a half hour walk of a GP. Dr Bonnie Teague, who gave a presentation at the CNO visit, explained that “there is clearly more work to be done to tackle health system inequalities for children and their families in rural and coastal settings in Norfolk.”
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer said:
“The excellent work of NICHE is improving the care provided in rural and coastal communities and demonstrates the importance of locally led innovation and leadership in improving the health of local communities and transforming care.
"Leadership from nurses and other healthcare professionals will be integral in implementing the government’s upcoming 10 Year Health Plan and driving improvements to deliver an NHS fit for the future.”
Dr Jonathan Webster, Professor of Practice Development and Co-Director of NICHE, said:
"The work of our NICHE funded Fellows demonstrates what an immense impact their embedded research and evaluation is making across our coastal and rural communities in Norfolk and Waveney.
“Through their Fellowships they are consistently demonstrating the desire to make a positive difference by sharing new insights and understanding leading to better outcomes for people and communities. It’s been great to share their amazing work with the CNO for England.”
NICHE’s key areas:
Workforce Development and Sustainable Transformation:
NICHE builds a strong healthcare workforce by offering targeted training, mentoring, and hands-on research projects. This investment in continuous professional development equips staff with the latest skills and expertise, driving ongoing quality improvement and long-term transformation in care practices.
Enhanced System Collaboration and Transformation:
NICHE brings together diverse healthcare partners—hospitals, community organizations, and local leaders—through regular meetings, workshops, and conferences. This collaborative approach fosters idea sharing and co-designing effective solutions, which helps transform the entire healthcare system.
Improved Wellbeing and Sustainable Outcomes:
By embedding evidence-based practices into everyday operations, NICHE boosts patient care and staff satisfaction. These initiatives lead to better clinical outcomes, reduced complications and hospital stays, and lower costs, ensuring that improvements are sustainable over time.
Related Articles
Unprecedented progress in tackling smoking during pregnancy threatened by NHS cuts, experts warn
Unprecedented progress in reducing the number of women smoking during pregnancy in England could be put at risk by NHS funding cuts, according to a UEA addiction expert.
Read more
UEA Nursing lecturer recognised with national award for the quality of his teaching
A UEA lecturer and nurse has won the prestigious title of 'University Educator of the Year' at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2025.
Read more
MRI breakthrough could revolutionise diagnosis of common heart problem aortic stenosis
UEA scientists have developed cutting-edge MRI technology to diagnose a common heart problem more quickly and accurately than ever before.
Read more