Expert panel puts health and wellbeing of nurses in the spotlight

Published on 21, May, 2025

Staff, students and healthcare experts have come together at the University of Sunderland to explore issues around the health and wellbeing of nurses. 

Academics and senior nursing leaders from local NHS trusts lead a panel discussion - Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies - which explored the personal, professional, organisational and cultural aspects of the role which can affect nurses’ health and wellbeing and how NHS staff are investing in and supporting their nursing staff.

The panel was chaired by Sue Brent, Head of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University, and included Anthony Watson, Associate Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Workforce and Education at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; Emma Dawes, Head of NMAHP (Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions) Education and Workforce Development at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Michelle Henderson, Senior Nurse/Clinical Lead Professional Leadership NHS England North East and Yorkshire.

Karen Giles, Associate Head of School (CPD & International Nursing) at the University, also the panel, said: “It was inspiring to hear how much is being done to support nurses’ wellbeing, with some fantastic examples of this within our north-east healthcare community.

“We also talked about being proud to be nurses and the importance of continuing to support the nursing voice in any national and international policy decisions.”

The panel discussion, which took place at the Murray Health Lecture Theatre, City Campus, was one of a series of events held at the University to mark International Nurses Day.

For more information on studying nursing at the University of Sunderland, click here. 

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