Fiona McQueen retires after seven years as Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer

Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer retires today after seven years in the role.

Professor Fiona McQueen was originally scheduled to leave her post a year ago, but agreed to remain in post to help the Scottish Government’s pandemic response.

Prior to her initial appointment as interim Chief Nursing Officer in November 2014, the 58-year-old served as Executive Nurse Director for NHS Ayrshire and Arran for more than a decade.

Speaking at Thursday’s daily briefing, Prof McQueen issued a heartfelt thank you to health workers across Scotland.

“There are so many people to thank,” she said, “whether its our cleaners, our admin support and hospital engineers.

“But if I may be indulged, I want to say a huge thank you to the nurses and midwives across Scotland.

“You have been an amazing force to help the country through this pandemic, whether is has been working alongside families who have been bereaved, in life-saving work in intensive care, or whether it’s our school nurses or health visitors supporting vulnerable young people.

She added: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you do for the people of Scotland.”

Professor Fiona McQueen was originally scheduled to leave her post a year ago, but agreed to remain in post to help the Scottish Government’s pandemic response.

The First Minister paid tribute to Ms McQueen at the briefing, telling reporters: I’m sure I speak on behalf of everybody across the country when I say again: thank you to Fiona for her service as the chief nursing officer.

Donald Macaskill, CEO of Care Scotland, also wished the outgoing Chief Nursing Officer well.

He tweeted: “Happy and well deserved retirement to @FionaCMcQueen from all at @scottishcare and the thousands of #carehome and #socialcare #nurses who have done so much especially in recent months.”

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