In support of the Better Health and Care Futures initiative, Baroness Mary Watkins hosted an event at the House of Lords to discuss the pivotal role of nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals in shaping the future of health and care services in the UK.

With workforce shortages and evolving health needs, a special reception was held with key stakeholders from policy, government, health and academia. Keynote speakers included Professor Shitij Kapur (Vice-Chancellor & President of King's), Lord Simon Stevens (newly appointed Chair of King's Governing Council and Chief Executive of NHS England from 2014 to 2021) and The Rt. Hon. Professor the Lord Ajay Kakkar PC (Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University College London and Chairman of King Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre).

Discussions explored how the workforce and careforce could be reimagined to meet future demands. This included how universities and health and care systems could collaborate to support the professional development and leadership of nurses, midwives and allied professionals.