New chief nurse for NHS London named
Highly regarded nursing leader Karen Bonner has been appointed the new regional chief nurse for NHS London.
Ms Bonner, who is currently chief nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, will take up the new post at the end of 2024.
“The chance to lead vital work to improve the health of the millions of people who live and work in this city is incredibly motivating”
Karen Bonner
She is taking over from Jane Clegg, who is retiring at the end of the year after a 40-year career in nursing and health visiting.
A nurse for 30 years, Ms Bonner has spent most of her career in London, gradually working her way up through the nursing ranks over the past three decades.
She has worked for several trusts in the city including Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
As someone whose parents came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation, Ms Bonner has built a reputation for being a champion of diversity, equality and inclusion.
In 2023, to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS, Nursing Times recognised Ms Bonner as one of the 75 nurses who have made a significant positive impact on the health service since its creation.
Meanwhile, in the 2024 King’s birthday honours, Ms Bonner was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to nursing.
Commenting on her new appointment, Ms Bonner said: “I live in London and was born in London – the chance to lead vital work to improve the health of the millions of people who live and work in this city is incredibly motivating.
“While the opportunities ahead of us to do this are huge, I’m also clear that this new role is an opportunity to really focus on the nursing and midwifery profession.
“I look forward to working with a broad range of partners and others across London to improve care, continue to develop our profession and champion the wonderful nurses, midwives and many other professionals in London.”
“Our vision is that London is the best global city in which to receive health and care services”
Caroline Clarke
The chief nursing officer for England, Duncan Burton, is among those who have welcomed her selection.
Writing on social media platform X, Mr Burton said he was “delighted” about Ms Bonner’s appointment.
She was also publicly congratulated by Helpforce, an organisation which seeks to boost volunteering in health and social care, for which she is a trustee.
Caroline Clarke, regional director for NHS London, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Karen and know that her experience, focus on patients and collaborative approach will offer strong nursing leadership for the capital.
“Our vision is that London is the best global city in which to receive health and care services.”
Ms Clarke also paid tribute to outgoing regional chief nurse Ms Clegg.
She said: “I also want to take this opportunity to thank Jane Clegg for the expertise and passion she has brought to this role, working tirelessly to improve the health and healthcare of Londoners, including during the Covid pandemic.”
