Chief executive and registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Jackie Smith has today announced her decision to resign after over six years in the role.
She will leave her post at the end of July this year.
Ms Smith said ina statement: ‘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.’
Janet Davies, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘Jackie has been a powerful advocate for nursing and she has worked tirelessly to make sure the UK’s workforce upholds the very 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.’
Ms Smith is not thought to be leaving her position for a new role elsewhere.
The Professional Standards Authority is set to publish the findings from its ‘lessons learned’ review into the NMC’s handling of the Morecambe Bay fitness to practise cases later this week.
However, Ms Smith and the NMC have denied that she is resigning as a result of the report’s pending publication.
