Reema-Elvira Dsouza
Associate chief nurse
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Associate chief nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Reema D’Souza has more than 20 years of extensive experience in nursing, leadership and strategic healthcare management. Born in India, she moved to the UK after completing her nursing qualifications.
Beginning her nursing journey in the UK as a healthcare assistant, she has excelled in diverse acute care settings, assuming various nursing roles. Her expertise spans clinical, trust-wide strategic, governance, management, regulatory, legislative and operational leadership, encompassing a broad spectrum of experience at regional, national and international levels.
As a steadfast advocate for visible leadership, staff empowerment and effective succession planning, Ms D’Souza is dedicated to elevating patient care standards. Committed to continuing professional development, she actively cultivates her skills and qualifications, receiving accolades such as the university medal for outstanding achievement in her master’s degree in advanced practice in cancer care from Edinburgh Napier University in 2015.
She is undertaking doctoral studies at Oxford Brookes University to support clinical research, and is a specialist lecturer at the same institution, delivering sessions on dementia, governance and frailty modules.
Having co-chaired the BAME staff network for two years, she played a pivotal role in setting network priorities, supporting members, creating opportunities and recognising the successes of a diverse workforce. She holds the position of deputy secretary for the British Indian Nurses Association.
Beyond her daily commitments, she extends her expertise as a visiting professor to a hospital in India, contributing to the enhancement of local healthcare professionals' skills and the overall healthcare landscape.
Recognised for her hard work, self-discipline, tactfulness and diplomacy, Ms D’Souza is dedicated to sharing her extensive knowledge, experience and professional network. Her commitment to inclusivity, collective working, person-centredness, open safety culture, and continuous improvement is evident in her ongoing pursuit of lifelong learning.