Andrea Sutcliffe, former chief inspector of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has started her new role as chief executive and registrar at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Ms Sutcliffe was the first CQC chief inspector of adult social care, a role she was in for five years and will always be remembered for introducing a ‘would my own Mum use this service?’ approach within adult social care.

On starting her new role, Ms Sutcliffe said: “I’m thrilled to finally join the NMC. It’s a privilege to take on this role at such an important time, not only for the organisation, but for health and social care in the UK.

“Nurses and midwives are there at some of our most joyous occasions: the birth of a child or recovery from illness. They provide support in our darkest days, perhaps when we are struggling with the impact of mental ill health or the death of a loved one.

“The NMC is constant throughout the careers of nurses, midwives and nursing associates. We need to use that privileged position to support and enable them to deliver great care and to encourage learning on the rare occasions that things go wrong.”

Ms Sutcliffe has worked within the sector for over 30 years and was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours list in 2018 for services to social care.

She said on Twitter: “Thank you for all your warm messages of welcome, support and some challenge as I start at @nmcnews. It was a great first day meeting so many lovely people here (& the inevitable IT initiation!) Today down to business with my first Executive Team meeting – there’s a lot going on!”