Patients First is FoNS’ partnership programme with the Burdett Trust for Nursing. It enables clinically based nurses, midwives and health visitors to lead innovation in collaboration with patients, carers and staff to advance and improve care in any health and social care setting across the UK.

Over the past seven years, 80 nurses-led teams and numerous patients and carers have experienced the benefits of Patients First. Supported by the Burdett Trust for Nursing, this programme has a proven track record of successful innovations and personal development. At a time when the quality of healthcare and nursing practice is under tremendous scrutiny, Patients First offers teams in any health and social care setting across the UK, a fantastic opportunity to show how nurses, midwives and health visitors are leading innovation and championing a practice culture where care is the best it can be.

Over a period of 18 months, the Patients First Programme provides:

• A dedicated experienced Practice Development Facilitator offering direct support in the workplace and via telephone/email
• Six full day learning and development workshops that will bring together the nurse-led teams to explore and enable the development of effective strategies for changing practice and provide opportunities for networking and sharing
• A bursary of up to £5000

Year 8 of the programme is now open to applications.

Closing date: 5pm, 7th September 2016.