Adult social care sector gets first-ever chief nurse

Deborah Sturdy takes role on an interim basis to champion social care nurses and provide clinical leadership

The importance attached to adult social care has been underlined by news of the appointment of the first-ever chief nurse for the sector.

Deborah Sturdy will take up the new role on an interim basis for six months to champion the interests of social care nurses and provide clinical leadership to the workforce this winter, a government announcement said.

Hoping to give a voice to those working in social care and develop the workforce

Talking about her appointment, Professor Sturdy said she was honoured to have been asked to help define a new narrative for social care nursing and support colleagues to find their voice.

‘The social care nursing and care workforce together are a powerful force to help shape and deliver the health and social care agenda,’ she said.

• RELATED: Adult social care nurses: the shrinking workforce in need of a long-term strategy

‘I hope that in this role I will be able to give a voice to those working in social care and develop the workforce, through the difficult months ahead and beyond.’

Important milestone in the development of social care nursing

RCN general secretary Dame Donna Kinnair welcomed the appointment, saying: ‘On behalf of the RCN I would like to congratulate Professor Sturdy on her appointment. Professor Sturdy has worked closely with the college for years and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.

‘Her advice to government will be a benefit to the sector at a challenging time. I look forward to working with her towards a long-term solution to the issues facing social care nursing staff and those they care for.’

Care England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, said the appointment marked an important milestone in the development of social care nursing.

Care England chief executive Martin Green said: ‘Deborah has extensive experience in the independent sector as well as the NHS and I am confident that she will enable better understanding of social care nursing across the health and care system.’

• RELATED: UK chief nurses and NMC issue letter of support

Professor Green added: ‘This role is important, and we look forward to working with Professor Sturdy and her team.’

In other news

• Should I say sorry? How to handle complaints – and how to learn from them
• Child protection: school nurses report ‘extraordinary’ rise in cases