The NHS is one of those institutions that practically everyone (in the UK anyway) will have come into contact with in one way or another. We might read the headlines, listen to the political speeches or hear about our friends and families' experience. But what is it like to work and lead in the NHS - particularly in the current climate?

In this episode I'm chatting to David Melia, Chief Nursing Officer at Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust.

David is both a registered general nurse and registered nurse for people with learning disabilities. His background was neurology and neurosurgery and he has held executive roles at The Walton Centre NHS FT and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS FT.

David’s focus is on developing cultures that sets patient safety at the heart of what everyone does by engaging colleagues to be the very best that they can be.

We talk about:

• bringing your whole self into your role

• what shaped David and how he is a leader now

• what a chief nurse does

• transitioning from specialist to all-round organisational representative

• Board behaviours

• creating psychological safety

• preparing future executives for the realities of the role

• really learning about what's happening in your organisation

• Banarama inspiration "It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it"

• how it feels to lead amongst constant challenge, change and pressure

• allyship, equity and inclusion

• Scouse school

• looking after yourself and not taking on the emotion of a role

• advice for aspiring leaders.

Resources and helpful links

• Connect with David on X