60 seconds with Louie Horne
Louie Horne BEM, senior global health fellow, NHS England talks about her career and what she is looking forward to most at Nursing Live 2024.
Louie Horne BEM, senior global health fellow, NHS England
Register for your free ticket and join us at the ACC in Liverpool on 23-24 October, 2024. Take a look at the event agenda and plan your visit to Nursing Live 2024.
What do you enjoy most in your current role and why?
What I enjoy most as a senior matron, and formerly as the workforce race equality standard and global health fellow at NHS England, is the opportunity to influence and drive positive change on a global scale. I am passionate about fostering a workforce that is equitable, diverse and inclusive, and I take great pride in ensuring excellent patient care. This role allows me to advocate for the needs and rights of international healthcare workers, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive. It's incredibly rewarding to see the tangible impact of our efforts in creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for all our staff, which directly translates into improved patient outcomes.
Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your career?
One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome was navigating the complexities of integrating a diverse international workforce within the care sector while maintaining high standards of patient care. Balancing various cultural expectations, regulatory requirements and professional standards across different countries required a nuanced and sensitive approach. Through collaborative efforts, continuous learning and innovative strategies, we were able to build a cohesive and supportive environment that respects and celebrates diversity while ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care.
What advice would you give to newly qualified nurses?
Embrace lifelong learning and stay curious. The field of nursing is continually evolving, and keeping up with the latest advancements and best practice is crucial. Build strong relationships with your colleagues and mentors, as their support and guidance will be invaluable throughout your career. Most importantly, take care of your well-being and practice self-compassion. Nursing can be demanding, but your passion and dedication to patient care will make a profound difference. Remember, providing excellent patient care starts with looking after YOU.
If you were the next health minister, what would you tackle first and why?
My first priority would be to address workforce shortages and burnout among healthcare professionals. Ensuring that our healthcare workers are supported, valued and adequately staffed is critical to providing high-quality patient care. Implementing policies that promote mental health and well-being, provide ongoing professional development and create a sustainable work environment would be at the forefront of my agenda. By investing in our healthcare workforce, we can build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system, ultimately leading to better patient care.
What are you looking forward to at Nursing Live this year?
I am looking forward to connecting with fellow nursing professionals and leaders from around the world. It’s an invaluable opportunity to share insights, learn about the latest innovations in nursing practice and collaborate on strategies to address common challenges. I am particularly excited about the discussions on equity, diversity and inclusion as they align closely with my passion and work in creating a more inclusive healthcare environment. It’s always inspiring to be part of a community dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and improving patient care.
Louie Horne is on this year’s Nursing Live Advisory Board and is speaking at the following session on Wednesday 23 October:
Advocating for yourself and others: finding your voice, often in a second language