Political influencing is not something many healthcare professionals immediately associate with their day-to-day role. For Sarah Partridge, whose work spans Nottingham City GP Alliance and Nottinghamshire Alliance Training Hub, it was an area she was curious to explore but had not previously considered a significant part of her professional influence.
After attending the QICN Political Influencing Day in London, Sarah left with a fresh perspective on how healthcare professionals can help shape decisions that affect patient care, workforce development, and the future of primary and community care.
Recognising the Value of Hidden Impact
Through her roles supporting pharmacy teams and a wide range of Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) staff, Sarah sees first-hand the positive impact these professionals have on patients and communities.
Much of this work improves patient experience, safety, continuity of care, and wellbeing. However, these outcomes are not always reflected in traditional performance measures such as access targets or Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators.
"These roles often improve patient experience, safety, continuity, and wellbeing in ways that are harder to measure. Just because something isn't easy to measure doesn't mean it isn't essential."
For Sarah, political influencing is about helping decision-makers, partners, and communities understand the wider picture of healthcare delivery and the value these roles bring.
An Opportunity to Learn and Connect
Sarah attended the QICN Political Influencing Day in London on 16 March 2026, motivated by a desire to better understand political engagement, connect with healthcare leaders, and expand her professional network.
The event featured insights from experienced leaders including Ann Keen, QICN Fellow and former Parliamentary Under Secretary of Health, Councillor Catherine McArevey, Mayor of Dacorum 2025–2026, and Dr Cate Wood, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Nursing (Leadership).
Alongside the learning opportunities, the visit provided a unique chance to experience the Houses of Parliament and gain a deeper understanding of how healthcare voices can influence political conversations.
A Shift in Perspective
Before attending the event, Sarah was uncertain about how much influence healthcare professionals could realistically have at a local political level.
The discussions and experiences throughout the day challenged that perception.
"After hearing from the panel, I left feeling much more inspired to work with local politicians and councillors."
Sarah reflected on how politicians and councillors are often generalists, responsible for understanding a wide range of issues across their communities. Seeing healthcare services first-hand can help bring both achievements and challenges to life in a meaningful way.
This reinforced the importance of healthcare professionals sharing their experiences and expertise with those responsible for shaping policy and making decisions.
Finding the Confidence to Speak Up
One of the most significant outcomes from the day was an increased confidence to engage in conversations that influence change.
Sarah was particularly struck by observing an expert panel consultation on workforce issues. Despite the importance of the topic, the discussion itself was brief.
"It made me realise that we, as a workforce, are the real experts in what works day to day. We understand the challenges and the impact on patients."
The experience highlighted the importance of ensuring that workforce voices are heard and that those delivering care have opportunities to contribute to local and national conversations about healthcare policy.
Turning Learning into Action
The impact of the day was immediate.
Following the event, Sarah spoke with Nicola Payne about the importance of strengthening political engagement for Training Hubs within the evolving NHS landscape. These discussions have since been taken forward at cluster level.
She also raised the subject during a strategy development meeting with Joined Up Care Derbyshire, highlighting the importance of political engagement when discussing how to ensure the voice of pharmacy is heard across the system.
These conversations demonstrated how even small actions can help raise awareness and create opportunities for meaningful change.
Why Political Awareness Matters
Sarah believes that greater political awareness can ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients and communities.
Healthcare professionals see the realities of patient care every day. They understand the barriers people face, the challenges services experience, and the solutions that can make a difference.
By engaging with politicians and councillors, healthcare professionals can help ensure policies reflect the real needs of local communities.
"Politicians don't always see the full picture of what is happening on the ground. By sharing our experiences, we can help shape local and national policies so they better reflect what is needed."
For Sarah, political engagement is not about party politics. It is about ensuring that the voices of patients, communities, and healthcare professionals contribute to decisions that shape the future of healthcare.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the experience, Sarah encourages others considering the QICN Political Influencing Day to approach it with curiosity and an open mind.
"I was a bit sceptical at first, as it can feel tied up with party politics. But if we want things to change for the better, we need to be sharing what we see and what works. That includes speaking to people at a political level, as they are the ones who can help shape the system we work in."
Her advice is simple:
Go with an open mind, make the most of the experience, and be ready to feel inspired by what you learn and who you meet.
Through greater understanding, stronger relationships, and a willingness to speak up, healthcare professionals can play an important role in shaping the future of care, not just by responding to change, but by helping to create it.
Share this post: