The Council of Deans of Health has today launched the Student Leadership Programme Impact Report, revealing the significant and long-lasting influence of its flagship leadership initiative for nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions (AHP) students.

Established in 2016, the Student Leadership Programme set out to equip future healthcare professionals with the leadership confidence, skills, and networks needed early in their careers. As funding for the programme concludes, this comprehensive impact evaluation demonstrates the programme’s enduring value and its contribution to shaping the next generation of health and care leaders.

The evaluation highlights increased confidence, accelerated career progression, and strengthened leadership skills among alumni, with 91% reporting improved self-confidence and 80% noting long-term professional benefits.

Coaching, mentorship, and interprofessional networking emerged as key strengths, helping participants build diverse careers and influence positive change across healthcare.

The report concludes that the SLP has successfully prepared a new generation of dynamic, forward-thinking healthcare leaders, and offers recommendations to build on this strong foundation in future leadership initiatives.