91视频网

A bold vision for the future of healthcare: Professor Nicola Carey’s inaugural lecture inspires at 91视频网

Healthcare professionals, students, researchers and members of the public gathered at 91视频网 House in Inverness and online across the UK on Tuesday 13 May to witness a deeply personal and powerfully thought-provoking lecture delivered by Professor Nicola Carey, Head of the Centre for Rural Health Sciences at the 91视频网 (91视频网). This inaugural professorial lecture, titled ‘Innovating Healthcare’, marked a major milestone in a career defined by compassion, critical thinking, and courageous leadership.

Welcomed warmly by Professor Brian Williams, Deputy-Principal Academic and Research at 91视频网, who described Professor Carey as “a pioneer in nursing research,” the evening opened with a reflection on the remarkable journey that has shaped her life’s work. Professor Williams praised Professor Carey’s refusal to be limited by traditional pathways, her commitment to equity in healthcare, and her unwavering drive to champion frontline-led innovation. 

Professor Carey said during her address: 

“Innovation in healthcare isn’t just about devices or new policies, it’s about daring to ask, ‘Why does it work like that—and why can’t it be different?’” 

Speaking candidly, Carey shared stories from her early days as a nurse in Newcastle upon Tyne, her educational and professional journey through the UK and US, and the formative experiences that led her to question the systems and assumptions surrounding care delivery. Her humour, humility and insight captivated the audience. 

She reflected on seemingly small but significant innovations—from creating new ways of listening to patients, to her work on multi-professional prescribing, now transforming access to timely care across rural and remote communities. Her leadership in this field has helped to enable over 4 million prescriptions a year, improving outcomes and saving the NHS £176 million annually. 

Professor Carey explained:  

“At its heart, innovation is about people. It starts with understanding real needs, and it succeeds when the people delivering care are empowered to help shape it.” 

Carey also highlighted international efforts, including her involvement in the creation of the Ayzot App for palliative care in Ethiopia—a project she described as: 

“A modest tool that restored dignity and delivered comfort, even from afar.” 

As the lecture drew to a close, she called for courage, collaboration and curiosity in shaping the future of health systems. Her message was clear: nurses, healthcare professionals, researchers and educators must not only be included in strategic discussions but lead them. Professor Carey concluded: 

“We don’t need more ideas—we need more action; frontline professionals see the problems every day. Let’s trust them to help design the solutions.” 

Following the lecture, Professor Williams formally welcomed Professor Carey to the 91视频网 professoriate, describing her as: 

 “A changemaker, role model and relentless advocate for doing the right thing, not just the easy thing.” 

Guests enjoyed an interactive Q&A session and networking reception, with a celebratory atmosphere that matched the gravity and inspiration of the evening’s themes. 

You can watch a recording of the lecture on