Experienced nursing leader joins University of Cumbria's Faculty of Health
An experienced Chief Nurse will join the University of Cumbria's Faculty of Health as an Honorary Professor of Practice (Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions).
Sarah Glacken has been appointed as the new Executive Chief Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Officer at North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) NHS Foundation Trust.
She joins from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust, where she has been in post as Executive Director of Nursing and Therapies since 2023.
Building on the strong partnership between NCIC, the University of Cumbria and Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, Sarah will also take on the role of Honorary Professor of Practice in Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions.
Sarah said: “I’m really excited and privileged to be joining North Cumbria in the near future, as well as taking on a professorship at the University of Cumbria.
"I am passionate about supporting staff, strengthening professional practice and making sure the voices of patients and carers shape how services are delivered and I’m looking forward to meeting colleagues, partners and patients in North Cumbria.”
Sarah is a committed and compassionate nursing leader with 40 years’ experience in the NHS.
Her career has spanned acute hospitals, specialist services, ambulance services, mental health and learning disability services, as well as NHS commissioning and strategic roles. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about providing safe, high-quality and person-centred care and achieving the best possible outcomes and experiences for patients, families and carers.
Before joining CNTW, Sarah was Executive Director of Quality and Executive Nurse at North East Ambulance Service. There, she led work covering quality, patient safety, innovation and improvement, including strengthening clinical governance and patient safety arrangements. She also led the organisation’s response to COVID-19.
Sarah has previously held senior leadership roles at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and with NHS England.
Professor Karen Stansfield, the University of Cumbria's Dean of the Faculty of Health, said: "Sarah's appointment is a fantastic addition to our university and a further example of the strength of our partnership with NCIC.
"We are delighted to welcome her as an Honorary Professor of Practice and look forward to working together to support healthcare innovation, professional development and the future workforce across our region."
NCIC Chief Executive Trudie Davies said: “I am delighted that we have secured an experienced Chief Nurse of Sarah’s calibre. The Chief Nurse role is a key appointment and her dual appointment as Hon. Professor of Practice at University of Cumbria further cements our partnership as North Cumbria builds sustainable improvements for patients and colleagues.”