Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals celebrates success of the Board Development Programme, empowering future healthcare leaders

Launched in early 2023, the Board Development Programme is an opportunity for aspirant local leaders to understand what it takes to become an Executive or Non-Executive Director within a large and complex organisation in either the public or private sector.

As part of the programme, candidates are paired with an Executive Director at the Trust, who offers mentoring and guidance as to their own career journey, whilst a number of ‘hands-on’ sessions are organised, and individuals invited to attend public and committee meetings.

Most importantly, the scheme is reciprocal, with the experiences and insights of candidates helping to broaden the understanding of the Trust’s Board-level leaders as to the challenges local communities face, and how the organisation can provide more opportunities, particularly for seldom-heard groups.

Starting as a pilot earlier this year, Dr Shirley Spoors, Consultant Biochemist and Clinical Lead in Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology at DBTH, and Dr Rum Thomas, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine and Deputy Medical Director at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, were the two delegates who completed the first cohort.

On their completion, both delegates joined members of the DBTH Board for a reflective session, providing valuable feedback to enhance the programme for future participants.

On her experience of the programme, Dr Shirley Spoors said: “I would like to thank the scheme organisers and “trainers” who openly gave their time throughout this five month training programme so that I could learn and understand the crucial role and responsibilities Non-Executive and Executive Directors play on the Trust Board.

“Having spent over 30 years in the NHS working at ground level, I now have the confidence, as well as the knowledge, understanding and skills, to move to the next phase of my career. This programme has given me that. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend the Trust Board Development to anyone thinking of a senior leadership position within the Trust.”

Dr Rum Thomas also expressed her praise for the programme: “The Board Development Programme at DBTH offered me a unique experience to learn about good governance and culture from observing Board and sub-committee meetings. I saw the value of scrutiny and constructive challenge to help the Trust align itself to its vision.

“It was a privilege to gain lessons on preparing reports, probing respectfully and working in partnership with DBTH. I would recommend this programme to aspiring leaders in the NHS.”

The success of the programme reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to equality and diversity. By empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, the Trust is working towards achieving better outcomes for its patients whilst also developing a pipeline of local talent, generating excellent future leaders for the benefit of not only DBTH, but organisations across the region and beyond.

Zoe Lintin, Chief People Officer, said: “This programme offers a unique experience, giving the delegate the ability to reach beyond their roles to work at Board level and bring with them the vast experience and insight they have. By actively fostering diversity and shared knowledge, we are enriching our leadership team, paving the way for better decisions and improved patient outcomes.

“I want to thank our first two successful delegates, and look forward to welcoming more candidates and future leaders in future.”

The Board Development Programme is set to continue, with an additional cohort scheduled to begin in September and applications for further candidates opening in 2024.