Yoga Therapy with Fred

This month I celebrate 25 years as a Registered Nurse and 28 years dedicated service in the NHS. How times have changed:

• In 1997: ~383,000 nurses in the UK.

• Today: ~748,500 nurses and 1.36 million NHS staff in England — yet vacancy rates remain around 6.7%.

• A larger population, longer lifespans, and more complex health needs have placed huge strain on our healthcare system.

Over those 25 years my role has changed significantly — from Junior Staff Nurse on the wards to Advanced Nurse Practitioner, managing patients independently, diagnosing, and treating autonomously.

Since Covid, however, there’s been a major shift: patients are now often required to use digital systems to access health professionals in primary care. While efficient, this means I see fewer patients face-to-face, spending more time triaging online requests and admin.

On reflection, I became a nurse to help patients in front of me, not just through screens. That’s why I’ve branched into yoga therapy — because I’ve seen first-hand its benefits, and the potential it has for students and care-seekers alike.