The Scottish Government

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Directorate provides policy and professional leadership and advice on all issues relating to nursing, midwifery, Allied Health Professions (AHP) and Health Care Scientists (HCS) working closely with professional and NHS colleagues.

Headed up by Dr Margaret McGuire (Acting Chief Nursing Officer) the Directorate develops, implements and evaluates policy on education and training, regulation, modernising Nursing Midwifery & Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) careers, leadership and recruitment and retention. It also provides professional NMAHP advice and support in relation to mental health, vulnerable adults and children, vulnerable families and early years and midwifery services.

Our Goal

To lead work with the NMAHP and Healthcare Scientist workforce that will underpin efficiency, productivity and quality of service delivery in NHS Scotland and to provide professional, policy and strategic leadership to Ministers, NHS Scotland, key partners and other stakeholders.

Objectives

• To create a culture within Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professions (NMAHPS) and Healthcare Scientists that ensures the primacy of caring and enablement and the delivery of safe, effective and patient centred care which is rights based and evidence based.
• To provide professional and clinical leadership to maximise the NMAHP and HCS capacity and capability to rise to the health challenges identified in Better Health, Better Care through partnership working with internal and external stakeholders.
• To lead work and liaise with key stakeholders to ensure NMAHP and HCS Professionals are educated to the right level and performing the right roles in sufficient numbers.
• To provide professional and clinical leadership in reducing Healthcare Associated Infections in hospitals and other settings ensuring safe and effective care and systems as well as maximising healthcare outcomes for patients.
• To lead on the enhancement of public protection through appropriate and robust regulation of health professionals and support workers in Scotland.
• To lead on the delivery of patient centred care through strengthening professional leadership and clinical practice.
• To lead the establishment of multi-disciplinary, international strategic alliances; facilitate the transfer of knowledge and information; share best practice to improve global healthcare
• To lead inter agency and cross Directorates work to develop the provision of integrated rehabilitation and community based services that (1) enable people to remain independent at home, (2) reduce dependency on care services, (3) avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and (4) support people in, or returning to, work.