Chair and Deputy Chair of the BGS Nurse and AHP Council: Expressions of interest now open!

29 Jun 2021

Lucy Lewis is the current Chair of the BGS Nurses and AHPs (NAHP) Council. She is a Consultant Practitioner in Frailty in the New Forest, Hampshire with Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and a part time PhD student researching how older adults, their significant others and clinicians make decisions about treatment and support following a new diagnosis of cancer. Dr Frazer Underwood has been Deputy Chair of the NAHP Council for the last 5 years. He is Associate Clinical Professor in Integrated Services for Older People (Honorary), Consultant Nurse, Associate Director of Nursing for Research, Innovation and Improvement, NIHR 70@70 Senior Nurse and Midwife Research Leader, Joint Director of the South West Clinical School in Cornwall and Acting Chief Nursing Information Officer.

We will complete our term this Autumn and we would love to take this opportunity to tell you about these two fantastic vacancies within the BGS NAHP Council and entice you to step up and put yourself forward.

Why are these roles important?
Nurses and Allied Health Professionals are essential to providing quality health and social care to older adults. As clinicians, researchers and leaders we bring unique insights to the work of the BGS and beyond. As chair and deputy chair you will have the opportunity to continue our ambition to fully engage Nurses and AHPs in the BGS mission to improve healthcare for older people, enable the equal and active participation in the full range of BGS activities and raise the professional voice of Nurses and AHPs within the Society, continuing to contribute to the important multi-professional agenda for older people’s health and social care.
What do the roles involve?
The full details are here in the advert what isn’t mentioned here is how much you will get out of being chair or deputy chair. Yes, it can often seem like an additional part time job but the opportunities to learn from others across the MDT in different settings, in all four nations is invaluable. As chair of the NAHP council, you will be formally registered as a charity Trustee which involves working collaboratively with the other BGS senior officers and lay Trustees to agree strategic decisions. You will also be asked to comment on journal articles pertaining to healthcare for older people and provide a response on behalf of the BGS.
Would we recommend applying?
Absolutely! Working together as Chair and Deputy these last (nearly) 2 years has been hugely enjoyable. We couldn’t have foreseen that a global pandemic would throw challenges in our way of finding alternative ways to offer inclusive peer support/sharing best practice and professional development but working with the wonderful BGS staff team and the immense talent of the NAHP council committee we have provided networking lunches at the BGS virtual conferences, an evening webinar and launched the three new communities of practice.
 

The BGS NAHP council committee are a dedicated, inspiring, knowledgeable and experienced bunch who will support you in your role. Paying it forward, there are many aspiring and emerging leaders within the wider NAHP council requiring your coaching and support to ensure successful succession planning. The BGS staff team are incredibly helpful and you will be warmly welcomed by them, the BGS senior officers and Trustees.

If you’re interested in either post...

We’d be happy to chat to you further. Do contact us via j.gough@bgs.org.uk.  You will need to submit a self-nomination, in the form of a covering email and statement (500 words max) on how you would approach the role and your suitability for the position to be sent to Joanna Gough by 31st July 2021 (midnight).  

Find out more

Vacancies: Chair and Deputy Chair of the BGS Nurse and AHP Council

The BGS is now recruiting a Chair and Deputy Chair to lead the work of the NAHP Council and its committee. Closes 31 July 2021.
Nurses are an essential element in older people's care

Nurse and AHPs Council

The BGS Nurse and Allied Health Professions (NAHPs) Council is a forum for the engagement and participation of Nurses and AHPs in the Society’s mission to improve healthcare for older people. The Council is committed to raising the voice of the individuals and the professions it represents.