New Faculties of Community Mental Health & Community Learning Disability Nursing
21 October 2025
The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) has launched two new faculties: the Faculty of Community Mental Health Nursing and the Faculty of Community Learning Disability Nursing.
These landmark initiatives are designed to strengthen the voice, status, and professional development of nurses working across community mental health and learning disability settings, ensuring their expertise shapes the future of community care in the UK.
The launch took place on 21 October at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT). The event brought together community nurses, leaders, and key stakeholders from across the mental health and learning disability nursing sectors to celebrate and showcase the contributions of these vital workforces.
Community mental health and community learning disability nurses play a vital role in delivering compassionate, person-centred care across communities. These new Faculties recognise their expertise and leadership, providing platforms for professional development, advocacy, and innovation. They represent a major step forward in raising the profile of these essential workforces and ensuring their voices influence policy, research, and practice.
Steph Lawrence MBE, Chief Executive of QICNThe launch event featured a range of speakers, including:
- Karen Taylor, CEO, HPFT, who highlighted the Trust’s commitment to community nursing.
- Amber O’Brien, RCN, who discussed the importance of mental health and learning disability nursing in community settings.
- Professor Emma Wadey, Chief Nursing Officer, HPFT, who shared insight on professional standards and workforce development.
- Trevor Parsons, Clinical Nurse Specialist, HPFT, who explored innovations in community mental health care.
- Hildah Jiah, Head of Nursing, Adult Community Services, HPFT, who presented on proactive nurse-led models for depot and clozapine clinics.
- Anca Manea, Community Learning Disability Nurse, HPFT, who showcased impactful learning disability nursing projects in Hertfordshire.
The Faculty of Community Mental Health Nursing will act as a hub for education, leadership, and innovation, championing excellence in practice and workforce wellbeing.
The Faculty of Community Learning Disability Nursing will provide strategic leadership and specialist support for nurses working with people with learning disabilities, helping to reduce health inequalities and advance person-centred care.
Together, these new Faculties reinforce The QICN’s mission to empower nurses across all areas of community practice, elevating professional standards, sharing best practice, and enhancing the impact of nursing in communities nationwide.
ENDS
Notes
Photographs will be posted on social media and will also be available from HPFT.
The QICN Faculty of Community Mental Health Nursing and Faculty of Community Learning Disability Nursing are the third and fourth faculties respectively to be announced by the QICN. It is anticipated that in total, nine faculties for fields of advanced nursing practice will be created in coming months.
Find out about the other QICN Faculties here.
Back to News