Risk Management in Healthcare: Insights from NHS Practitioners on our recent risk management course
Embedding enterprise risk management is complex, especially in the healthcare sector where issues are often incorrectly recorded as risks. This can lead to overloaded risk registers and reactive decision-making, limiting the true value of risk management in NHS trusts.
To tackle this, NHS Providers, in partnership with the Institute of Risk Management (IRM), has developed the Risk for NHS Risk Practitioners course. It helps NHS risk professionals improve their understanding of effective risk management and how to support their trusts to think more strategically and proactively about risk.
From the ward to the board, the course encourages participants to review and refine their risk frameworks to ensure they are relevant, proportionate, and effective. We spoke to four NHS professionals who completed the course to hear how it has shaped their thinking and what changes they plan to make in their organisations.
Paul Denton: Associate Director of Governance and Risk, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
How has your understanding of risk management evolved as a result of the course?
In the organisation I was in, risk was very process-driven. There was a lot of talking about risk, but not necessarily acting on it in a meaningful way. After the course, I’ve come to understand that while discussion is important, it’s the quality of the conversations that really drives progress. It’s about engaging people at all levels in those conversations that lead to change.
Can you give an example of something you’ll be applying?
One key area is risk culture. Right now, our organisational culture around risk isn’t where it needs to be. We talk a lot about “tone from the top,” but in practice, I don’t think we’re fully living that principle. This course made it clear that leadership buy-in has to be authentic and visible. So, there’s more work to be done to align leadership tone with everyday practice.
How would you sum up the course in a few words?
Very enjoyable, but more than that, it’s probably the best training I’ve ever done in nearly 50 years of working. The engagement from the facilitators has been second to none. I wish I could bottle that level of energy and bring it back to my team.
Would you recommend it to colleagues in the health sector?
Absolutely. Whether you’ve been working in risk for years or are completely new, this course is incredibly valuable. For experienced practitioners, it serves as a vital refresher, reminding us of the things we’ve forgotten or habits we’ve slipped into. And for newcomers, it’s an excellent, well-structured introduction.
Chris McKeown: Corporate Risk and Assurance Manager, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
What was your view of risk management before, and how has it changed?
Historically, I think risk management in the NHS has been very process-focused—almost a tick-box exercise. We’re trained to ask, “Have we done A, B, C, and D?” rather than, “What has actually improved?” The course challenged that mindset. It encouraged us to look at the real outcomes of risk processes, whether they’re making a difference.
What’s one thing you’ll take away and apply immediately?
One of the biggest things I’ll take back is how we present risk information. Our reports are often very narrative-heavy, which can make them hard to engage with. The course highlighted the importance of clear, impactful communication that keeps people interested and makes the information usable. That’s something I’m keen to change straight away.
How would you describe the course in just a few words?
Engaging, accessible, and useful. It’s not often you find training that speaks to both beginners and experienced professionals equally well, but this did.
Would you recommend this course?
100%. It’s suitable for anyone, regardless of their starting point in risk. I’ve worked in this space for years and still came away with new insights and practical techniques that will help me do my job better.
Sharon Wright: Governance Manager, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
How has the course changed your perspective on risk in the NHS?
My background is clinical, and moving into a corporate governance role has been a big shift. This course helped me see risk management through a much broader, more organisational lens. It’s not just about individual clinical risks anymore, it’s about understanding how systems, processes, and people interact across the entire trust. That’s been a big eye-opener.
Can you share a practical way you’ll apply what you’ve learned?
Yes, part of my role involves overseeing the risk register. Thanks to the course, I now have a much better understanding of how to support others in evaluating and updating risks, and making sure those risks are properly mitigated. I’ll be working on making our register more reflective of real, current risks and more actionable in terms of response.
Three words to describe the course?
Dynamic, thought-provoking, invaluable. It’s given me confidence and clarity in a role I’m still relatively new to.
Would you recommend the course?
Absolutely. It’s broadened my understanding in ways I didn’t expect. It’s also been really enjoyable, an opportunity to step outside of the day job and really think critically about how we manage risk.
Chloe Giles
What was your starting point in risk, and how has the course helped?
I’m completely new to risk. So for me, everything about this course was new and insightful. I’ve learned so much in such a short space of time, it’s been a steep learning curve but an incredibly positive one.
How have you started applying what you’ve learned?
I’ve already started using the course content in my day-to-day role. One of my key responsibilities has been to lead a project upgrading our enterprise risk management system. The course has helped shape how I think about that project, and I’ve been applying my learning in real time. The reflective log was especially helpful, it made me think critically about how to embed best practices into our system.
How would you summarise the course in three words?
Insightful, exciting, and enlightening. It’s been a really enriching experience, both professionally and personally.
Would you recommend it to others?
Definitely. The delivery was exceptional, particularly the in-person sessions which created space for collaboration and shared learning. The facilitators were incredibly supportive and responsive, even outside the formal sessions. And the use of interactive activities—yes, even dancing!—really helped embed the material. The community that’s been built through this course, including our WhatsApp group, means we’ve got an ongoing network to share ideas and challenges going forward.
Practitioners are moving away from compliance-driven models toward more strategic, people-focused approaches. Whether it’s through improving how risks are communicated, embedding a stronger culture of engagement, or supporting leadership to set the right tone, these professionals are leading that change.
Learn more about our upcoming Risk for healthcare risk practitioners course here.
