New mental health nursing model launched in Northern Ireland as Minister unveils leadership toolkit
A new mental health nursing model aimed at delivering more personalised care closer to home has been launched in Northern Ireland, alongside a leadership toolkit designed to support nurses and midwives across the health service.
Health Minister Robbie Butler formally launched the initiatives at the Chief Nursing Officer Conference on Wednesday 21 October 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to reform Health and Social Care services.
The conference brought together approximately 250 attendees, primarily nurses and midwives, to discuss the future of healthcare delivery amid increasing demand, workforce pressures and financial challenges.
New mental health nursing model focuses on community care
The Mental Health Nursing Model, entitled Partnering for Wellbeing and Enabling Recovery, sets out a vision for the future of mental health nursing in Northern Ireland.
It places mental health nurses at the centre of neighbourhood-based services, with an emphasis on person-centred care delivered closer to patients’ homes.
The model was developed following engagement with mental health nurses, student nurses, people with lived experience, education partners and health service leaders.
According to the Department of Health, it identifies both the strengths of the profession and the challenges that must be addressed to meet changing population needs.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to develop more sustainable services and improve how care is delivered across Northern Ireland.
Leadership toolkit to support nurses and midwives
The Minister also launched a new Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Toolkit, designed to provide practical support for nurses and midwives responsible for leading operational teams.
The digital resource brings together guidance, learning materials and tools intended to strengthen leadership skills and confidence.
It can be regularly updated to reflect changes in policy, professional guidance and best practice.
The Department said the toolkit would help nursing and midwifery leaders maintain safe, high-quality and person-centred care while supporting improvements across the health service.
Health Minister highlights pressures facing the NHS in Northern Ireland
Speaking at the conference, Mr Butler acknowledged the contribution of nurses and midwives and the challenges facing the wider health service.
The event was held under the theme Reset, Reform, Reimagine: Nursing and Midwifery Leadership for a Sustainable HSC.
“With demand and expectations rising, and workforce and financial pressures posing significant challenges, we need to ask important questions about how and where we deliver care,” the Minister said.
He stressed the importance of involving nurses and midwives in decisions about how services should be improved and transformed.
“The challenge for all of us is to improve and transform services while remaining true to the values that brought us into public service in the first place. In that context, the voice and role of nursing and midwifery is crucial.”
More than 30,000 nurses and midwives registered in Northern Ireland
Chief Nursing Officer Professor Maria McIlgorm highlighted the scale of the nursing and midwifery workforce and its importance to healthcare reform.
She told delegates that more than 30,000 nurses and midwives are registered in Northern Ireland, making them the largest professional workforce within Health and Social Care.
Professor McIlgorm said their responsibilities extend beyond direct patient care into policy, education, research, service leadership and innovation.
“That is why I often say that nursing and midwifery are not simply contributors to reform, we lead it,” she said.
New career pathway for learning disability nurses
A Registered Nurse Learning Disability Career Pathway was also launched at the conference.
The pathway is intended to support professional development within learning disability nursing and contribute to efforts to improve equality of access to healthcare and outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
Together, the three initiatives are intended to strengthen nursing leadership, support professional development and help shape the future delivery of health and social care services across Northern Ireland.
External links:
Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Toolkit — Department of Health
Mental Health Nursing: Partnering for Wellbeing and Enabling Recovery
Registered Nurse Learning Disability Career Pathway
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