Two of the country’s most high profile and respected nurse leaders from the world of social care and community nursing have been appointed as new trustees by a UK nursing charity.
Professor Deborah Sturdy, England’s chief nurse for adult social care, has been appointed as a trustee of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Foundation.
“I look forward to working with them as they continue to make an undoubted difference to the nursing and midwifery professions”
Deepa Korea
She will be joined in the role by Dr Crystal Oldman, who was until earlier this year chief executive of the Queen’s Institute for Community Nursing (QICN).
Announcing the appointment today, the RCN Foundation said Dr Oldman would take up the position on 1 September, with Professor Sturdy joining the board slightly later on 1 November.
Nurse and former chief executive of QICN – a role that she held for over 12 years and recently spoke to Nursing Times about– Dr Oldman has spent much of her career working in community nursing.
She worked for over 18 years as a community nurse in the NHS and prior to that, worked at Buckinghamshire New University, where she progressed from senior lecturer to dean of enterprise and business management in the Faculty of Society and Health.
In 2017, she was recognised with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her significant contributions to community nursing and her leadership of the QICN and, in 2020, was awarded a fellowship of the RCN.
Dr Oldman said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as a trustee of the RCN Foundation.
“I am passionate about learning, teaching and research to support best practice in nursing and midwifery, particularly in areas of high inequality.
“I am very much looking forward to championing this in my role with the RCN Foundation and to support its vision to improve the health and wellbeing of the public, and to reduce inequality in health outcomes.”
Professor Sturdy is the chief nurse for adult social care in the Department of Health and Social Care, a role she has held since 2021 as well as being the first person to hold the position.
She was awarded a CBE in 2022, is a fellow of both the QICN and the RCN and was the first nurse to receive the British Geriatrics Society president’s medal for her contribution to older people nursing.
She has a wealth of experience from previous roles including senior posts in practice, research and policy, and in both social care services and the NHS.
She also holds three visiting chairs in nursing, at Manchester Metropolitan, Buckinghamshire New University and Coventry University.
Professor Sturdy said: “It is a real privilege for me to be joining the RCN Foundation as a trustee, especially as they have been a strong advocate for adult social care nursing.
“I am excited to work together to support and strengthen nursing and midwifery, and to improving health and care outcomes across the UK.”
Crystal Oldman
Deepa Korea, director of the RCN Foundation, said: “Having worked closely with both Crystal and Deborah for many years, I am elated to have them join the RCN Foundation board of trustees.
“They both bring extensive experience, knowledge and expertise, particularly in social care and community nursing, which are key areas of our work and funding,” she said.
“They will both bring a depth of knowledge, skill and commitment to the foundation, and I look forward to working with them as they continue to make an undoubted difference to the nursing and midwifery professions.”
Chair of the RCN Foundation, Professor Dame Jane Cummings, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Crystal and Deborah to the RCN Foundation board of trustees.
“Their passion and advocacy for the profession will be a welcome addition as we continue to develop and expand the Foundation in the coming years,” she said.
