Responding to Change – Our Professional Contribution to Leading Transformation
At this year’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Summit, adult social care took to the main stage to lead a powerful conversation about collaboration, leadership, and the future of integrated care. The session, titled “From Curiosity to Partnership: Bridging the Gap Between the NHS and Social Care”, brought together leaders from across the health and social care landscape to explore how the professions can work together to deliver the ambitions of the 10-year health plan.
The session invited the audience to reflect on the opportunities for closer alignment between the NHS and social care. Highlighting the importance of shared values, the panel spoke about how curiosity and openness can help bridge long-standing divides and support transformation across the system.
The discussion, chaired by Zoe Fry OBE, Lucy Gillespie and Dr Zena Aldridge showcased the collective voice of social care nurses and leaders across the sector. The panel shared examples of how social care nurses are leading change—demonstrating innovation, building partnerships, and driving quality improvement at local, regional and national levels.
Each panellist reflected on how collaboration can strengthen the workforce, improve outcomes, and create a system where nurses can understand each other’s roles across health and social care and the part they play.The message was clear: social care is integral to health, and partnership is the key to lasting impact.
Representatives included
- Zoë Fry, Director of Nursing and Residential Services, The OS – OBE. BSc – RN
- Ed Hughes, CEO, Council of Deans of Health - Undergraduate Nursing Placement Strategy
- Adam Smith, Mental health nurse consultant: Previously Chief Clinical Quality Officer at Acuity Care Group.
- Victoria Hulström, Clinical Director, Nouvita Healthcare, Learning Disability
- Emily O’Hara Emily: Director of Quality and Chief Nurse at Sanctuary Care (nursing homes and residential services across the UK). Advanced Practice including nurse prescribing pilots
- Anna Selby, Director of Quality at HC-One
- Zena Aldridge NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Office-Associate Director for Social Care
- Lucy Gillespie, National Professional Lead, Regulated Professional Workforce, Skills for Care
From Insight to Action
Delegates were invited to join table discussions exploring the question:
“What are the opportunities for improved collaboration and integration within health and social care to support the 10-year health plan?”
Participants identified a wide range of opportunities — from shared education, mentorship, and workforce planning to co-production of care pathways and joint system leadership. The importance of relationship building and mutual respect across sectors emerged as a consistent theme.
Attendees shared their key commitments for action — from creating local networks and involving social care in system design, to tackling inequities in training access and promoting shared professional development.
Closing reflections reinforced the central message of the session: that transformation begins with connection. By nurturing relationships, recognising shared purpose, and valuing all contributions equally, health and social care can truly operate as one system.