International Nursing Delegation to China: A Week of Collaboration and Cultural Exchange
This month, Claire Nadaf, Head of Engagement and Partnerships, and Sarah Herbert, Chief Nursing Officer at University Hospitals Dorset and Visiting Professor at HSU, embarked on a nursing delegation to China. The visit was hosted by the Beijing Huatong Guokang Foundation (BHGF), and was designed to build international collaboration through hospital and university visits, including a prestigious International Nursing Management Academic Conference.
Their journey began in Beijing where Claire and Sarah visited Peking University Third Hospital and presented to an audience of 40 nursing leaders. The session sparked insightful discussions on the future of nursing and healthcare systems in both the UK and China.
From Beijing, they boarded a high-speed bullet train – reaching speeds of 330 km/h – to Changchun in Jilin Province. At Jilin Cancer Hospital, they engaged with over 200 nurses and toured the breast cancer unit, gaining valuable insights into the integration of Western medicine with traditional Chinese practices.
Midweek, they flew to Shanghai for the final leg of their visit. At Huadong Hospital, they met with 150 nurses and toured the expansive international facility. The interest in UK nursing practices was palpable, and both Claire and Sarah were treated to a traditional Chinese massage by TCM doctors, offering a glimpse into holistic approaches to wellbeing.
Later that day, they visited Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences (SUMHS), a major institution in healthcare education. They toured the campus and met with academics from nursing, healthcare management, and physiotherapy. That evening, they joined a celebration honouring 25 Chinese nurses who had recently completed an MSc in Nursing at Munster Technological University in Ireland—a programme now in its tenth year.
On their final day, Claire and Sarah presented at the annual Nursing Development Forum at Ruijin Hospital, addressing an audience of over 250 senior nurses from across China. Claire shared her work at HSU on co-developing workforce education with clinical partners, while Sarah spoke passionately about values-based nursing, drawing on her extensive leadership experience at UHD.
We extend our sincere thanks to the BHGF for their exceptional hospitality and organisation throughout the week. The visit has opened doors to exciting new collaborations in post-registration nursing, rehabilitation, and research, as well as opportunities for internships, observerships, and exchange programmes.
