SCOTLAND’S new chief nursing officer Professor Alex McMahon has said he is “delighted” to be appointed the role.
Professor McMahon has been in the job on an interim basis since October and following an external recruitment process he will take up the position for up to three years. The previous chief nursing officer, Professor Amanda Croft, stood down in August for personal reasons and the team of deputy chief nursing officers covered the position until Prof McMahon started in October.
He previously worked as executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals for NHS Lothian.
Professor McMahon said: “I am delighted to take up the role of chief nursing officer (CNO). Our workforce have been at the heart of Scotland’s response to the pandemic and we know the challenges everyone working across our NHS and social care sector face as we head into one of the toughest winters in recent times.
“I have been struck by the dedication and commitment of our health and social care staff during the past two months and pay tribute to their efforts during this unprecedented time.”
Professor McMahon qualified as a registered mental health nurse in 1986 and a registered general nurse in 1989, and has worked in the private sector, NHS and Scottish Government.
He holds honorary professorships with Stirling University and Queen Margaret University.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I welcome the appointment of Alex McMahon as chief nursing officer. He brings a wealth of experience and excellent leadership to this key position as we continue to face up to the challenges of the pandemic.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here