Ward Sister Coronary Care Unit, Isle of Wight NHS Trust

Some NHS careers begin with a single placement that sparks a lifelong commitment. For Megan Thorne, Ward Sister on the Coronary Care Unit at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, that journey began as a student nurse — and has continued for more than eleven years on the same unit she now helps to lead.

The Coronary Care Unit at St Mary’s Hospital provides specialist care for patients needing cardiac treatment and high‑dependency respiratory support across its 18 beds. It also delivers a busy outpatient service, including weekly pacemaker insertions, transoesophageal echocardiograms and cardioversions. Megan’s role sits at the heart of this work: supporting and guiding her team, ensuring consistently high‑quality care, and creating an environment where staff feel valued and able to thrive.

Collaboration is central to the unit’s success. Megan works closely with multidisciplinary teams across St Mary’s, as well as colleagues in Portsmouth and Southampton, reflecting the teamwork that underpins the NHS. Her leadership focuses on building a positive culture — one where compassionate, safe and effective care is strengthened by staff wellbeing, empowerment and shared purpose.

Megan’s commitment to prevention and workforce resilience has also shaped her work beyond the ward. During the 2024/25 vaccination programme, she led proactive communication and engagement initiatives, creating safe spaces for open discussion and supporting colleagues to make informed decisions about protecting their health. She worked closely with the portering team to improve access to vaccination across day and night shifts, helping increase uptake and strengthen protection across the wider workforce.

Her leadership reflects the three shifts of the 10‑Year Health Plan: investing in staff wellbeing to improve care, strengthening prevention across the workforce, and building a culture where teams feel supported to deliver their best. Megan’s dedication to her colleagues, patients and community embodies the values at the heart of the NHS.

“I am proud to work within the NHS on the Isle of Wight, supporting colleagues, patients and their families. For me, the NHS is about delivering compassionate, high-quality care to people when they are at their most vulnerable,” she says.

As the NHS marks its 78th birthday and the first anniversary of the 10‑Year Health Plan, Megan’s story is a reminder that transformation is powered not only by new models of care, but by people who lead with compassion, collaboration and a commitment to helping others thrive. Explore cardiac care leadership or workforce wellbeing.