New NMC Chief Executive takes the helm

Andrea Sutcliffe CBE has today taken up her role as Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Andrea Sutcliffe CBE said:

“I’m thrilled to finally join the NMC. 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.

“Nurses and midwives are there at some of our most joyous occasions: the birth of a child or recovery from illness. 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. 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.

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

Andrea Sutcliffe has over 30 years’ experience in health and social care and joins the NMC from the CQC where she was Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care. 

Andrea joined the CQC from the Social Care Institute for Excellence where she was Chief Executive from April 2012. Previously she was Chief Executive of the Appointments Commission and was an Executive Director at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for seven years.

In July 2016, in recognition of her work in social care, Andrea received an Honorary Award of Doctor of Science from the University of Leeds. She was awarded a CBE for services to adult social care in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.

-End-

Notes for editors

1. For media enquiries, please contact NMC press office on 020 7681 5409 or email media@nmc-uk.org.

2. We’re the independent regulator for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. We hold a register of all the 690,000 nurses, midwives and nursing associates who can practise in the UK. Better and safer care for people is at the heart of what we do, supporting the healthcare professionals on our register to deliver the highest standards of care. We make sure nurses, midwives and nursing associate have the skills they need to care for people safely, with integrity, expertise, respect and compassion, from the moment they step into their first job.

3. Learning does not stop the day nurses, midwives and nursing associates qualify. To promote safety and public trust, we require professionals to demonstrate throughout their career that they are committed to learning and developing to keep their skills up to date and improve as practitioners. We want to encourage openness and learning among healthcare professions to improve care and keep the public safe. On the occasions when something goes wrong and people are at risk, we can step in to investigate and take action, giving patients and families a voice as we do so.