RCN comments on the retirement of the Chief Nursing Officer

Published: 17 November 2010

For immediate release: 17th November 2010

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today paid tribute to the Chief Nursing Officer Dame Christine Beasley, who will be retiring in March 2011.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary, said:
“I would like to pay tribute to Dame Christine not only for her last six years as Chief Nursing Officer, but also for her long career as an advocate for nursing and quality patient care. Nurses will value her emphasis on reducing hospital infections and tackling mixed sex wards, and the RCN will miss her tireless hard work and leadership.

“The role of the Chief Nursing Officer is vital in keeping the nursing voice at the centre of government, and we are sure that Dame Christine’s successor will continue to speak up for nurses as the NHS faces challenging times as a result of economic pressures and the reorganisation outlined by the health white paper.”

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Notes to Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.