Former MiP chair Zoeta Manning chaired the first Women into Leadership Healthcare event in London on 22 March. The conference, sponsored by MiP, brought together women from all parts of the NHS to explore the role of women in healthcare leadership and offer practical advice and coaching to women on how to develop their careers in times of change. 

In her opening speech, Manning told delegates: “women leaders in the NHS have come a long way but still have miles to go… Just because women face barriers doesn’t mean they don’t have fire in their bellies to reach the top.”

Ruth Passman, head of equality and health inequalities at NHS England, told delegates that women made up a large majority of the NHS workforce but only a small minority of NHS chief executives and trust chairs. Women were particularly under-represented in CCGs, she explained, and were disproportionately affected by NHS restructuring, particularly the abolition of Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities.

Open and supportive culture

Passman said women thrived in an “open and supportive culture” and needed clear career paths and opportunities for promotion into middle and senior management roles. “We need to shine a light on the traditionally female roles which don’t get the recognition that they deserve… Women need a glass lift to get them through the glass ceiling,” she told delegates.

A moral and bottom-line issue

Gill Morgan of NHS Providers spoke about building a culture of inclusion and respect to help female leaders succeed. She said evidence clearly showed that organisations with diverse leaderships and women on boards performed better. “This is a moral and bottom-line issue,” she said.