Gemma Aspland

Nursing was always the dream — and 20 years ago, that dream became a reality when I qualified as an Adult Nurse in 2006. Since then, my career has taken me on a varied and richly rewarding journey through some of the most diverse settings the profession has to offer.

I began my career in the NHS on an orthopaedic ward, caring for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements as well as emergency admissions. After more than five years, I made the decision many nurses will recognise — balancing a growing family with a career I loved, and moved into nursing home care, working nights while my children were young.

Seven years into my career, I took a bold step into an entirely different environment: HMP Norwich. Working as a first responder to emergencies, supporting long-term offenders with chronic and life-limiting conditions, and running vaccination clinics — it was a role unlike any other, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

“I'm excited about the road ahead — and committed to everything HCD stands for.”

From there, I moved into nursing home management and worked my way up to Deputy Manager. My dedication paid off when the home achieved an Outstanding CQC rating — a result I'm rightly proud of. I later took on a Clinical Deputy Manager role at a home that had received an inadequate rating, working hard alongside the manager to drive meaningful improvements across all areas, before the company took the difficult decision to close.

I joined HomeCare Direct as Regional Clinical Nurse Lead and, in February 2026, stepped into the newly created role of Nurse Manager — a promotion that reflects both my experience and my passion for everything HCD stands for. I'm excited about the road ahead and committed to supporting the continued growth of HomeCare Direct and the people it serves.