The Power of Appreciation in Healthcare

Across acute and ambulance services, teams are delivering improvements every day that make a real difference for patients, staff and the wider health and care system. Yet many of these successes, insights and lessons remain local.

In response, we are launching Acute and Ambulance Appreciation Week, a new national celebration taking place from 9–13 November. Led by the NHS Alliance in partnership with the Q Community, the week will shine a spotlight on the innovation and improvement happening across our services.

For our final webinar of the week, we will discuss the overall value of appreciation and appreciative inquiry within health services.

Matthew Hopkins is Director of the Acute and Ambulance Network at the NHS Alliance and a former NHS chief executive. With more than 40 years’ NHS experience, he has worked in clinical, operational and executive leadership roles across acute, specialist and regional healthcare. Originally a cancer and palliative care nurse specialist, Matthew has extensive experience leading organisational improvement and supporting challenged acute trusts. His work focuses on patient-centred care, quality improvement, culture change and helping health systems deliver more integrated and effective care.

Jo Marinas is Group Divisional Director of Nursing Workforce Development for University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, supporting workforce development across its five hospitals. A nurse by background, he holds an MSc in Healthcare Practice Development and an MBA and is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Health. Jo is a co-founder of Scouse School and the Ethnic Minority Nurses & AHP Forum. His work focuses on building a sustainable nursing workforce, strengthening professional development and creating opportunities for a more inclusive healthcare workforce.

Emma Crossingham is a Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals Plymouth, specialising in maternity and emergency anaesthesia. She is the Trust Clinical Lead for Cultural Improvement and Learning from Excellence and Deputy Service Line Director for Anaesthesia. Gemma has expertise in human factors, appreciative inquiry, Safety-II, civility and staff wellbeing. A national speaker and executive member of the Obstetric Anaesthetists Association, she has also been invited to contribute to Donna Ockenden’s review of NHS maternity services across England.

Shohail Shaikh is Head of Organisational Development and Talent Management at London Ambulance Service NHS Trust and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. With more than 24 years’ experience in organisational development and people leadership, he leads work across leadership development, talent management, organisational culture and workforce transformation. His work has received national recognition, including two CIPD People Management Awards in 2025. Shohail is also a Board Trustee at Saint Francis Hospice.

Register to join the session by using this form.

You will also have the option to join related sessions that are running during Acute and Ambulance Appreciation Week, covering elective care, urgent and emergency care, and ambulance services.