University Lecturer is new President of Midwifery Council

A university lecturer has become the first professional to be elected president of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Sandra Arthur takes over at a time when professional regulation faces increased government scrutiny. She replaces Sir Jonathan Asbridge who was appointed as the first NMC president.

She was previously editor of Midwifery Matters, the journal of the Association of Radical Midwives, and is a member of the Royal College of Midwives council. She is a lecturer at Cardiff University and had represented Welsh midwives on the NMC.

Ms Arthur said. “Council members have placed their trust in me and I look forward to rewarding that trust by building on the solid foundations of the transitional council.”

Dame Karlene Davis, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, told Staffnurse.com “Sandra’s election sends a positive message at a time when the NMC is facing challenges to its role about the regulation for non-medical healthcare professions and changing roles to meet new healthcare needs. The RCM is pleased that voting members of the NMC have put their faith in a midwife to give leadership at this interesting time.”