Kathryn Yates, a nurse with over 25 years experience in primary and acute care, has been appointed as primary care lead for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Ms Yates began her career after moving to London from Wales to train as a nurse, and qualified as a registered nurse in 1991. She worked at Kingston Hospital and then at Atkinson Morley’s Hospital for seven years, before moving into community services and later a working as a designated nurse for looked after children and young people. She later went on to become a senior lecturer in public health and primary care at the University of West London.
Her current job is practice lead at the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education at Kingston University and St George’s, University of London. Speaking in her first interview since assuming the role, Ms Yates said: ‘My career has been quite wide and varied. I have an intensive care background, starting off as an acute nurse. I diversified into psychology, and then into health visiting.
‘I’ve been a senior lecturer in education and leading on practice, particularly focusing on pre-registration nurse training. Two years ago I became a governing body nurse member for Kingston upon Thames CCG. I also sit on the board for community education provider networks in Kingston.’
Her research interests include clinical supervision; pre and post natal depression; looked after children and young people and care leavers. She is also a consultant on patient safety, domestic abuse, and public patient engagement.
Ms Yates assumed the position last month, following Marina Lupari, who stepped down at the end of 2015.