New chief nursing officer for Scotland confirmed

A new chief nursing officer (CNO) for Scotland has been appointed, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

Professor Aisha Holloway has been selected as the new CNO and will begin the role in November.

She will take over from Anne Armstrong who has been serving as interim CNO since April 2024 and will now return to her post as deputy CNO.

Professor Holloway currently works as chair of nursing studies at the at the University of Edinburgh, is the programme director for the Nursing Now Challenge, and is an adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

Professor Holloway co-founded and is co-director of the Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative, which organises research collaboration between the Nursing Studies department and the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh.

She is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).

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Commenting on her appointment Professor Holloway said it was a ‘huge privilege’ to be chosen for the role which requires ‘clear and unwavering focus’.

‘Those that constitute the NHS health and social care workforce across sectors, have always been the beating heart of this most beloved institution,’ she said.

‘They must be valued and respected as their contribution, knits together the very fabric of our society and wellbeing.

‘The work we must do now together, will address not only the current demands we face but is an investment into the health of future generations.

‘I very much look forward to working in meaningful and inclusive ways, to fulfil our full potential, to influence and to impact health outcomes across Scotland.’

Alongside her academic roles, Professor Holloway has held several government and non-government advisory and executive board roles in the UK and overseas.

She was a member of the State of the World’s Nursing Steering Committee and recently spent a year as a consultant at the World Health Organization in Geneva.

The Scottish health secretary, Neil Gray, congratulated Professor Holloway on her appointment as CNO, adding that she will play a ‘key role’ in efforts to improve the NHS in the coming years.

‘Her national and international experience will help focus our efforts to ensure that people across Scotland will continue to access the right care, in the right place,’ he said.

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‘I would also like to express my thanks to Anne Armstrong for her support and service in the interim and look forward to continuing to work with her as she returns to deputy chief nursing officer,’ he said.

Colin Poolman, executive director at RCN Scotland, said Professor Holloway’s appointment comes at a time when the nursing profession faces ‘many challenges’.

‘Aisha has played a key role in the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce and will now have the responsibility for delivering the recommendations,’ he added.

Established by the Scottish Government in 2023 and made up of key nursing and midwifery stakeholders, the taskforce it includes key nursing and midwifery stakeholders like the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and hopes to improve recruitment and retention in nursing.

‘I, and the wider RCN team, are looking forward to working with Professor Holloway to ensure the nursing profession in Scotland has the support it deserves,’ Mr Poolman said.

Chief executive and registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Paul Rees also congratulated Professor Holloway on her appointment.

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‘This is a vital leadership role within Scotland’s health and social care system, and her dedicated service to nursing over the years – from elevating nursing’s role within global health policy to supporting early career development in nursing – will serve her well in the role.

‘Professor Holloway brings a wealth of experience, insight and commitment to the nursing profession, and I have every confidence she will provide strong, compassionate leadership at a critical time for health and care services in Scotland.

‘We look forward to working closely with Professor Holloway to help ensure the highest standards of care for people and communities across the country.’