15.05.18
NMC leader Jackie Smith steps down ahead of Morecambe Bay scandal review
The leader of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced her resignation.
Jackie Smith will leave her post as chief executive and registrar of the NMC at the end of July 2018.
The announcement comes just days before the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is scheduled to publish its review into the NMC’s handling of the Morecambe Bay Midwives case.
An earlier inquiry by Dr Bill Kirkup found that the maternity department at Furness General Hospital was “dysfunctional,” with 12 preventable deaths occurring over nine years.
Previously, the PSA had called the NMC’s investigation and its panel decisions “insufficient.”
Announcing her resignation, 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.”
She paid tribute to those working at the organisation and thanked the nurses and midwives on the NMC register.
Philip Graf, chair of the NMC Council, added: “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.”
Enjoying NHE? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!