Chief Nursing Officer To Retire

After over six years of service, England's Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Dame Christine Beasley, has announced that she will retire in March 2011.

Dame Christine has made a lasting impression on both patients and staff through her engaging leadership and determination for better quality and care.

Since Dame Christine took the helm, there has been a 78 per cent reduction in cases of MRSA and a 53 per cent reduction in C Difficile. Ward staff have taken responsibility for "orphan" items such as commodes and mattresses, introducing schemes to make it clear to patients when and by whom their equipment was cleaned.

With the other UK Chief Nursing Officers, Dame Christine brought together leaders from the NHS, education, regulatory and professional bodies and unions across the UK in the Modernising Nursing Careers programme. The programme defined the unique contribution of nursing, articulated the vision and set a direction of travel, enabling the profession to respond to changes across health and social care.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Underpinning all of Dame Christine's achievements is her style of leadership. She has maintained a high visibility across the NHS, undertaking hundreds of visits to frontline services and speaking engagements, meeting patients and staff and always promoting the importance of the patient experience.

"Dame Christine has continually championed better quality and care. Her ease of manner and depth of knowledge have given her an unrivalled reputation as an accessible and effective nursing leader."

Speaking at the CNO summit, Dame Christine said: "I am honoured to have been Chief Nursing Officer for England for the last six years. During that time I have met thousands of nurses and midwives and seen at first hand their dedication, passion, and innovative approaches to improving the care of patients and support to communities. I know the positive impact they make on a daily basis to the people who use our services.

"Whilst I know the future will provide some tough challenges, I believe that nurses and midwives are well placed to seize the opportunities. Without their leadership it will not be possible to fulfil the expectations of patients and the public for the NHS, Public Health and Social Care Services."

(BMcN/GK)