New chief nursing officer named by NHS England

Duncan Burton has been appointed as the new chief nursing officer for England, it has been announced.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard confirmed his appointment at a board meeting this afternoon.

Mr Burton, who currently serves as NHSE’s deputy chief nurse, takes over from departing CNO Dame Ruth May, who announced her retirement in April.

He was the regional chief nurse for NHSE’s South East region, from September 2019 until March 2021, before taking up his current role.

Mr Burton began his career in Wales and held top nursing leadership roles at three trusts in London and the south of England.

Dame Ruth had been in the role for five years and took over from Jane Cummings in January 2019. She had been in the NHS for nearly 40 years and began her nursing training in 1985. She became a theatre sister at Frimley Park Hospital before becoming the chief executive of the hospital trust.

NHSE chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: ”I would like to congratulate Duncan — this is a hugely important appointment for our patients and workforce. His extensive experience in local, regional and national roles, along with his track record of delivery and leadership will be invaluable as he takes on this role at such a crucial time.

“Duncan has consistently achieved exceptional results - from the international recruitment nurse programme, which ensured we met the 50k nurse commitment six months early, to the health care support worker recruitment programme, which resulted in the highest number of healthcare support staff employed in the NHS on record.”

She added: “I’d like to thank Dame Ruth May for her dedication and commitment to the NHS throughout her 40 years’ service – she has worked tirelessly to nurture the next generations of NHS nursing and midwifery leaders, and supported nurses, nursing associates, midwives and healthcare support staff to do their very best for patients and their families, and I wish her all the very best for her retirement.”

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: ”I would like to offer my congratulations to Duncan Burton on his appointment as Chief Nursing Officer for England.

“As a key adviser for NHS England and ministers, his range of experience will be invaluable. I want nurses to play a big role in helping write the 10-Year Plan to make the NHS fit for the future, and the chief nursing officer will be key to that.”

“I would also like to express my thanks to Dame Ruth May for an incredible 40 years of dedication and service to the health service.”