Divisional Chief Nurse, General and Specialist Medicine, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

There are leaders who manage, and there are leaders who inspire. Janet McAuley is firmly in the second category.

As Divisional Chief Nurse for General and Specialist Medicine at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Janet leads with a combination of compassion, professionalism, and quiet determination that those around her describe as truly exceptional. Whether she is supporting a colleague through a difficult shift, driving improvements in the quality of care, or taking the time to ensure a patient and their family feel genuinely heard, her dedication to people — all people — never wavers.

For Janet, nursing has always been about more than clinical expertise. It is about presence, kindness, and the belief that every person who comes through the doors of an NHS hospital deserves to feel safe and valued throughout their journey. She puts patient care at the heart of everything she does.

“It is a privilege to be part of the NHS and to work alongside such dedicated and compassionate colleagues every day,” she says. “What the NHS means to me is making a difference to people’s lives when they need us most, ensuring they receive safe, high-quality care and feel supported throughout their journey.”

With a career that has seen her progress up to senior nursing leadership, Janet speaks warmly about the joy of continuous learning — of the fact that whatever your role, whatever your experience, the NHS always has something new to teach you. That curiosity and humility set the tone for the teams she leads.

“I am incredibly proud of the commitment, resilience and kindness shown by our teams,” she reflects, “and I am honoured to play a role in leading and supporting them as we continue to improve care for our patients and communities.”

At its heart, the 10 Year Health Plan is a plan about people — the people who deliver care, and the people who receive it. Janet McAuley embodies both the values and the vision that will carry the NHS through its next 78 years.