Dr Bill Kirkup joins NMC Midwifery Panel

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) today announced that Dr Bill Kirkup CBE has joined the NMC’s Midwifery Panel as a lay member.

Established in November 2015, the Midwifery Panel includes the Chief Nursing Officers from the four countries of the UK, representatives from the RCM and other leading midwifery figures.

The Panel provides the NMC with high-level advice on key midwifery issues including proposed changes to the NMC’s midwifery legislation. It also provides a forum to develop strategic thinking on all aspects of the future approach to midwifery regulation.

NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Jackie Smith said:

“I am delighted that Bill Kirkup has agreed to join the Midwifery Panel. Bill brings with him a wealth of experience in advising the health and care sector and his work leading the Morecambe Bay Investigation means that he is uniquely placed to support the NMC at this important time.”

Dr Bill Kirkup said:

“I am pleased to have been asked to join the NMC’s Midwifery Panel.  I look forward to working closely with other members of the Panel and the NMC to shape the future of midwifery regulation during this crucial time for the profession.”

From 2005 to 2009 Dr Kirkup was the Associate Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health. He has also led investigations into the Oxford paediatric cardiac surgery unit and Jimmy Savile’s involvement with Broadmoor Hospital, and was the medical member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. In July 2013 he was appointed Chairman of the Morecambe Bay Investigation into maternity and neonatal services at Furness General Hospital.

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Notes for editors

1.  For media enquiries, please contact NMC press office on 020 7681 5649 or email media@nmc-uk.org. ​

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent professional regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK. We exist to protect the public. We do this by maintaining the register of qualified nurses and midwives and setting standards of education, training, conduct and performance. We make sure that nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date through a regular revalidation process. If concerns are raised about the standards of a registered nurse or midwife, we have a duty to investigate and, where necessary, take action to protect the public.