The Cordwainers recently awarded a team of nurses from the Royal Free Hospital with an enlightening trip to a conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  Six matrons, two charge nurses and one maternity matron were given the opportunity to visit and learn about the USA’s Magnet hospitals.

A Magnet designation is a seal of approval for hospitals that offer excellent nursing care and have been shown to offer high levels of patient satisfaction and financial performance, as well as strong nursing leadership and the ability to retain nursing staff.

At a ceremony at the Royal Free Hospital in September 2009, the Master of the Company, Mark Shaw, presented certificates to the nine award winners, who had to demonstrate how they would apply what they learned from the tour to their own hospital.

Mr Shaw said: “I’m very pleased to be able to give staff from this famous hospital the opportunity to investigate new ideas and discuss good practice with their colleagues from overseas.”