Andrea Sutcliffe in ‘listening mode’ as she takes helm of NMC

Andrea Sutcliffe takes the helm of the Nursing and Midwifery Council today and brings more than three decades of experience to the job.

“It’s a privilege to take on this role at such an important time”

Andrea Sutcliffe 

She joins the NMC from the health watchdog, Care Quality Commission, where she was chief inspector of adult social care.

Previous roles held by Ms Sutcliffe include chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence, chief executive of the Appointments Commission, and executive director at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

During July 2016, in recognition of her work in social care, Ms Sutcliffe received an honorary doctorate from the University of Leeds, and was also awarded a CBE for services to adult social care in the Queen’s 2018 new year’s honours list.

In a statement issued today by the regulator, Ms Sutcliffe said that she was “thrilled” to be taking over the leadership of the NMC.

She said: “It’s a privilege to take on this role at such an important time, not only for the organisation, but for health and social care in the UK.

“Over the coming weeks I’ll be in listening mode”

Andrea Sutcliffe

“Nurses and midwives are there at some of our most joyous occasions: the birth of a child or recovery from illness,” she said. “They provide support in our darkest days, perhaps when we are struggling with the impact of mental ill health or the death of a loved one.

“The NMC is constant throughout the careers of nurses, midwives and nursing associates,” Ms Sutcliffe added. “We need to use that privileged position to support and enable them to deliver great care and to encourage learning on the rare occasions things go wrong.”

As a first port of call, Ms Sutcliffe said she would be seeking out the views of registrants, those who received care from them, as well as the NMC’s partners in the health system.

“Over the coming weeks I’ll be in listening mode,” Ms Sutcliffe said. “Listening to those who receive care and those who advocate on their behalf. Listening to the nurses, midwives and nursing associates who deliver fantastic care day in, day out.

“And listening to our partners across the health and care sector as we work together to drive high standards and keep people safe,” she added.

Sue Killen had been standing in as interim chief executive and registrar of the NMC, following the departure of Jackie Smith in July last year.

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