Influencing Leadership and Building Research Capacity through the Implementation of Health Policy into Practice

Leadership in nursing and midwifery is a cornerstone to guide and support teams in the dynamic and rapidly changing health environment. Developing research capacity in health is also a key factor to produce and implement a sound evidence base for practice. Internationally, building health service research capacity is a recognized essential factor to influence and inform policy and practice. This includes developing research capacity across the range of individuals and teams, organisations and networks. This paper describes how one NHS Health Board in Scotland promoted a supportive environment and activities to develop leadership and increase research capacity to support implementation of national Early Years policies into practice.