Andrea Sutcliffe CBE has been appointed Chief Executive and Registrar at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). She joins the NMC from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) where she has been Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care since October 2013.
Ms Sutcliffe has over 30 years’ experience in health and social care. In her current role she leads on the regulation and inspection of adult social care including residential and nursing homes and domiciliary care. She is also responsible for the registration team supporting all health and care sectors.
Ms Sutcliffe will take over from interim Chief Executive and Registrar, Sue Killen in January 2019 who stepped in after Jackie Smith quit the NMC days before publication of a highly critical report of the organisation’s handling of the Morecambe Bay midwifery scandals, where 11 babies and one mother died between 2004 and 2013. The NMC was criticised for its ‘lamentable’ failure to take prompt action and for allegedly attempting to bury a dossier relating to the events.
Ms Sutcliffe said: ‘The work of the NMC is essential in protecting the public across the UK and promoting the professionalism of nurses, midwives and in the future nursing associates.
‘I am looking forward to working to ensure that people are at the heart of everything we do and to secure the confidence of the public, professions and our partners that we will do the right thing and we will do it well.’
Philip Graf, Chair of the NMC Council said: “Andrea brings with her a wealth of experience in health and social care. Throughout her career she has demonstrated a real commitment to putting the safety of those receiving care at the heart of her work and I know that she will ensure the voice of patients, nurses, midwives and nursing associates are at the core of what we do. I am sure that Andrea will provide strong leadership to the organisation as we continue to deliver significant change and as we embark on developing our ambitious new strategy for 2020-2025.’
Ms Sutcliffe 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 NICE for seven years.
