A Journey, Not an Event – Implementation of Shared Governance in a NHS Trust

Abstract

This article describes the implementation of a trust-wide shared governance structure in Barts and The London National Health Service Trust in the United Kingdom. Barts and The London is a large teaching trust, employing over 6,500 staff. The implementation process is described in detail and is followed by details of the current shared governance structure, an overview of the evaluation of the structure, and the objectives of each of the four nursing teams: the Quality, Management, Education, and Clinical Practice Teams. Also included are examples of the achievements of each of the teams and a personal account of one nurse who joined the Trust after shared governance had been implemented.