From ward to board: identifying good practice in the business of caring

This report suggests valuable lessons to be learnt about the role and attributes of the nurse executive in helping NHS boards on quality of clinical care, but also lessons about the structure, processes and behaviours of boards.

In recent years, NHS boards have often been preoccupied with financial performance, but they also have to engage with the quality of clinical care.

A programme of work developed by The King's Fund, in partnership with the Burdett Trust for Nursing, has focused on the role of nurse executives in helping boards to assure themselves of the quality of clinical care.

Based on observations at seven pilot sites, this report suggests there are valuable lessons to be learnt about the role and attributes of the nurse executive, but also lessons about the structure, processes and behaviours of boards.