Royal College of Nursing president Bejoy Sebastian visits Stow Healthcare homes in Stowlangtoft and Thetford

The president of the Royal College of Nursing visited East Anglia today to see the ‘innovative’ work being carried out by nurses in Suffolk and Norfolk.

RCN president Bejoy Sebastian met staff and residents at care homes run by Stow Healthcare — including Stowlangtoft Hall in Kiln Lane and Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford.

Mr Sebastian, a critical care nurse who took up the RCN presidency in January 2025, was keen to learn more about the innovative practices of Stow Healthcare, who were crowned Small Residential Care Provider of the Year 2024.

He said: "I am deeply inspired by the kindness, expertise and commitment demonstrated by the nursing staff at Stow Healthcare.

“Their collaborative work with NHS partners, alongside their ability to translate evidence-based research into everyday nursing practice, stands as a shining example of how integrated care can transform outcomes for residents and communities alike.

“Through close partnership with acute trusts, they are not only improving patient flow and easing pressure on NHS services but also ensuring that care is delivered in the right place, at the right time, and tailored to each resident's needs.

“Their innovative approaches are already delivering measurable improvements — reducing patient harm and setting new benchmarks for patient safety in nursing homes.

“At the Royal College of Nursing, we are proud to support our members as they rise to meet the demands of increasingly complex care. I am also grateful for the opportunity to hear some of the inspiring career journeys shared by their staff members.”

Mr Sebastian, who began his nursing career in India, is a strong advocate for internationally educated nurses and met both overseas and UK-trained staff during the visit.

He also took the opportunity to speak with residents — gaining insights into how care is delivered on the ground.

Ruth French, director of Stow Healthcare, said: “It was a pleasure to host Mr Sebastian and his team at our homes.

“We are tremendously proud of the work we have done to support our valued nursing teams, and in supporting home grown talent to achieve nursing and nursing associate qualifications.

“We have also been recognised for our ethical recruitment of overseas nurses, which the RCN were delighted to hear about.

“We were pleased to have constructive discussions about how the RCN can champion the role of social care nurses.”