The Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC has announced her decision to step down.
Jackie Smith has today announced her decision to step down as Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after being appointed in 2012.
Ms Smith says it has been “an honour” and feels it is the “right time for someone else” to take the lead. She is set to leave her post at the end of July 2018 and the NMC has said the recruitment of a new Chief Executive and Registrar will begin in due course.
In a statement, Ms Smith praised the “fantastic care” nurses deliver on a daily basis.
Her resignations comes, controversially, on the eve of a report from Professional Standards Authority over the NMC’s handling of the Morecambe Bay deaths – where 11 babies died, following failings in care.
Now is the right time.
Chief Executive and Register Jackie Smith said: “It’s been an honour to lead the NMC over the past six years and I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved. Now is the right time for someone else to take the organisation forward.
“I want to pay tribute to the staff at the NMC who have worked so hard and achieved so much during my time here.
“I’d also like to thank the nurses and midwives on our register– it’s been a privilege to work with them and witness the fantastic care they deliver day in day out.”
We are sorry to see her leave.
Janet Davies, RCN General secretary, said “She has worked tirelessly to make sure the UK’s workforce upholds the highest standards. She has led the regulator with conviction through a period of positive change and, on behalf of all nursing staff, I pay tribute to her for that.”
The newly appointed Chair of the NMC Council, Philip Graf, said: “Jackie has made an immense contribution to the NMC and I will be very sorry to see her leave.
“Public protection has always been at the heart of everything Jackie has done and she can take great credit for transforming the organisation into the high performing regulator it is today.”