Head of nursing for primary care, Julie Roye, has been named as a finalist in the leadership category of the RCN Nursing Awards 2023. Julie, who has been recognised for helping increase the uptake of cervical screening in diverse populations, talks about leadership and ELFT’s culture that allows leaders to flourish.

“Leadership, for me, means inspiring colleagues to improve patient care, develop professionally, and work cohesively towards shared objectives. It's about possessing a clear vision, embodying it, and empowering others to do the same.

My personal sources of inspiration include remarkable women like Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou, whose stories of overcoming adversity and rising to greatness have shaped her journey. I draw strength from my parents who migrated to the UK in the 1950s, weathering numerous challenges to thrive in a new environment.

I have also been influenced by Lorraine Sunduza, now our interim chief executive, and director of nursing Eileen Bryant, women at ELFT who have demonstrated leadership excellence.

One of my transformative leadership moments at ELFT involved taking the lead on a Quality Improvement project focused on cytology. This initiative was marked by increased staffing levels, targeted training, and collaborative efforts across administrative and clinical teams.

ELFT's nurturing culture and commitment to development is evident in programs like the Improvement Leaders and Improvement Coach initiatives.

Furthermore, the influence of NHS initiatives like Rosalind Franklin and Florence Nightingale underlines ELFT’s dedication to nurturing leaders. I would encourage colleagues to define their development goals and seize opportunities for leadership growth, knowing that ELFT will provide the platform.”