RCN chief exec Peter Carter announces departure

Peter Carter has announced that he is to leave the Royal College of Nursing, after eight years as its chief executive.

He will stay in post while a successor is appointed, the RCN said today in a statement.

Nursing Times understands that he will remain at the college for the next six months. He will then take up a role working as a consultant in challenged trusts.

Mr Carter said: “It is just over eight years since I joined the college and it has been a wonderful time in my career.”

He noted that the challenges facing the college when he joined were “significant”, but that the RCN was now financially stable and had increased its membership.

“There are countless experiences and people that I have met that have given me memories that I will cherish,” he said.

“Every week I meet nurses and other healthcare workers in clinical settings and I am nothing other than hugely impressed by them,” he said. “As a nation, we should be proud of those who work in healthcare as the vast majority give over and above what is expected of them.”

RCN chair of council Michael Brown said: “It is with great regret that today I have accepted Dr Peter Carter’s resignation.

“In the eight years Peter has been with the RCN, the college has moved forward significantly and has improved under his management in difficult times within healthcare,” he said.

“Peter has been a champion, not only for our members but the whole nursing family and health services during his time with the college,” he said. “He has really raised the profile of both nursing and the RCN and has consistently championed the very best in patient care.

“We thank him for all he has done for members and the college over the years,” he added.

Source Nursing Times