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Reform
Exploring Strategies for Workforce Retainment/Reform
UEA’s Interprofessional Student and Staff Schwartz Rounds
We launched our Student Schwartz Rounds in July 2022 and successfully delivered five sessions between January and December 2023. Working with NICHE, these rounds have now been extended to include staff and students. Schwartz Rounds provide a structured forum where all (whether staff, clinical and non-clinical), can come together to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in health and social care settings.
The project is addressing the topic with health and social care professional trainees, studying in UEA’s Medical, Nursing, Clinical Psychology, Psychological Therapies and Social Work courses.
It is bringing together trainees working across the East of England Region entering professions where staff retention and wellbeing continue to be considered significant areas for development. By exploring the impact of SRs on student wellbeing, this research will contribute to the strength of the future regional workforce.
Conference Papers (2024):
Student Experience Conference, CHERRPS – University of East Anglia (UEA), March
Shared Learning Event, NICHE – UEA, April
Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education, Advance HE – Leeds, May
Student Mental Health Conference, SMARTEN – King’s College London (KCL), June
Conference Poster (2024):
Lifespan and Population Health Early Career Researcher Conference – UEA, June
Book Chapter (Upcoming):
“Sharing is Caring” – A Focus on Schwartz Rounds
Featured in: Workplace Wellbeing for Nurses, Health and Care Professionals (Critical Publishing)
Other Outputs:
Schwartz Rounds website now live
Interprofessional Student Schwartz Rounds featured on UEA Groups and Centres webpage
NICHE Blog – March 2024
NICHE Blog– 2025
Staff Support Service Evaluation
An initial proposal to evaluate a model of staff support offered at QEHKL has been funded by NICHE as a model of wellbeing that was first introduced during COVID-19. The initial proposal has been developed into a more comprehensive protocol for the project. This has required balancing the needs of the service, wider aims of NICHE, and practical constraints. Through this process a more robust evaluation project has been designed to generate outcomes that are helpful for improving the service, demonstrating value/need to commissioners (and other relevant stakeholders), and consideration of what may aid effective implementation of staff support at similar NHS Trusts/organisations across health and social care.
Achievements to date have been successful employment of Hannah Cooper as the Research Assistant/Assistant Psychologist and Kate Roberts working as Principal Clinical Psychologist on the project. Project support is being provided by Niall Broomfield (NICHE @ UEA) and Steven Green, Principal Clinical Psychologist at QEHKL.
The ‘THRIVE’ Programme Pilot Scheme: Transforming, Healthcare, Reflection, Innovation, Values, Excellence
During 2023 The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn (QEHKL) achieved NICHE funding to support the pilot of a Graduate Programme, aimed at early career professionals. This funding supports proof of concept before wider roll-out of the programme across the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.
The developing THRIVE Programme is closely aligned to the following NICHE themes:
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Achieving Workforce Development and Sustainable Transformation
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Enhanced System collaboration and transformation through Effective Partnership Working
The programme offers an enhanced learning opportunity to develop a comprehensive skill set to help manage the complexities of working in the NHS. THRIVE supports personal and professional development, through a dynamic culture of critical inquiry. The programme is co-designed with Dr Theresa Shaw, Helen Muncey QEHKL and the QEH Education Faculty and will be co-delivered by experts from the QEH with contributions from the NICHE team.
The THRIVE Programme is a leadership development initiative designed to support early-career healthcare professionals. Recognising the challenges faced during the early stages of a healthcare career, the programme provides targeted support through a structured approach that builds confidence, capability, and connection. It offers development in key areas such as leadership, quality improvement, research, and practical skills.
The programme is underpinned by collaborative, inclusive, and participatory methods that encourage personal growth, peer support, and a stronger sense of belonging within the healthcare environment.
Featured Publications
NICHE and the JPUH are thrilled to share this brochure providing some insight into the incredible and innovative work being done by our cohort 2 scholars
Please follow this link to view the full brochure.
NICHE are proud to share the new evaluation report from the inspirationally person centred "Community Culture Club"
Please click here for the full report.