May 2026 One NHS Finance Team Updates
Welcome to the May One NHS Finance blog. Here you will find all the highlights of our programmes and networks over the last month, and discover opportunities and everything else coming up in the month ahead.
Important Upcoming Dates That You Should Know
Accelerate! Deputies development programme – Applications open, apply by May 31, 2026.
The Aspiring Deputies National Talent Pool – Applications open, apply by May 31, 2026.
NHS Finance Insights placement scheme – Applications close May 8, please share with your networks.
Networks
Last month, we had an inspiring Health & Wellbeing showcase from Samantha Smith, Helen Cullen, and Rebecca Bambrough-Oates from the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. They presented their ‘Weigh to Go’ healthy lifestyle group, exploring how it was created, how it runs, and the positive impact it has had on staff wellbeing. If you missed the session, you can watch it back here: https://youtu.be/_FDrli-Rtzk
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place this month from May 11 – 17, with a theme of ‘Action’; even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. Look out for our special Health & Wellbeing newsletter, which will highlight all the available support, resources, and initiatives to help improve mental and physical wellbeing.
We have two regional Value Maker meetings booked in for May. To join the North East & Yorkshire meeting on May 13, please register here. To join the South meeting on May 14, register here.
Taking place on May 22 is our National Inclusion Conference. We are looking forward to an inspiring event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting inclusion for neurodiversity. Read the final agenda here.
Programmes
Thank you to those who sent in their NHS staff survey scores. We are pleased to say that our 2025 comparison tool is now available. It contains the results of 198 finance directorates. You can also view the key findings and further resources. Access them here: Staff Survey.
We recently published a case study on how Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust transformed its approach to efficiency and improvement through the Efficiency, Value & Improvement (EVI) programme. This month, you can join a showcase session exploring this fantastic initiative further, register for May 12, 15:00 – 16:00 here: Surviving and Thriving: Making Value the Default Lens for Change – A Case Study from Norfolk & Suffolk NHS FT.
Do you want to help take your organisation to the next level? The Accreditation Assessor role could be you! Taking place on May 19, 12:00 – 14:00, is our next training session, register here: Towards Excellence Accreditation Assessor Training.
We are pleased to confirm that two of our career development programmes are now accepting applications. The Accelerate! Deputies development programme is specifically designed for Deputy Finance Directors who aspire to progress their careers to the next level. The programme involves two days of interactive, challenging, and thought-provoking sessions to help you prepare for your progression and future leadership roles. The Aspiring Deputies National Talent Pool is suitable for colleagues who are ready to take the next step in their career to become a Deputy Director of Finance. This is a two-year programme which involves an initial two-day development centre, followed by in-person/online masterclasses and ongoing support.
This month, we have another Finance Innovation Showcase taking place on May 21, 11:00 – 12:00. This session will showcase Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s new comprehensive Budget Holder Induction package designed to ensure every budget holder is fully equipped to meet their financial responsibilities from day one. Register here: Innovation Showcase Session: Budget Holder Induction Package.
We are also continuing with our popular Process Redesign with AI sessions. During the workshop, you will learn how to map your processes and use AI to redesign them to be more efficient. Register for May 27, 12:00 – 13:00 here: Process Redesign with AI May.
That’s a wrap for this month, please download our monthly presentation slides below. Thank you for reading.