NMC appoints equality, diversity and inclusion advisor
The nursing regulator has appointed an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) advisor to help it improve its “toxic” culture.
Mac Alonge from The Equal Group has been brought in for an initial period of three months to help guide the NMC’s executive board and governing council.
“This presents an opportunity to address a culture that has undermined the vital role that the NMC plays in our society”
Mac Alonge
The appointment of an EDI advisor was a move promised by the NMC in response to a damming review into the regulator, which was published in July.
The review, by solicitor Nazir Afzal and consultancy firm Rise Associates, found a “toxic culture” at the NMC with employees reporting experiences of racism, bullying and other types of discrimination.
Mr Alonge will help to ensure EDI considerations are “at the heart” of the regulator’s response to the review and its wider culture change programme, said the NMC.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Alonge said: “I understand that there is significant work to do at the NMC and this presents an opportunity to address a culture that has undermined the vital role that the NMC plays in our society.
“The independent culture review must be viewed as an inflection point in the NMC’s journey, one which leads to more positive outcomes for staff, key stakeholders and society as a whole.”
Helen Herniman, acting chief executive and registrar at the NMC, acknowledged that Mr Alonge’s appointment would not be enough on its own to solve the issues facing the regulator.
However, she added: “Mac’s extensive experience of strategic equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives will support us through the foundational steps of our journey towards a safer, more inclusive working environment for our colleagues.”
It comes as the NMC continues to try and find a suitable person to take the helm of the organisation in the wake of the review.
Its former chief executive and registrar, Andrea Sutcliffe, announced in May that was stepping down due to ill health.
Dawn Brodrick, chief people officer at the Crown Prosecution Service, was recruited in June to replace her on an interim basis but resigned before formally taking up the post after her appointment caused backlash.
Concerns were raised about Ms Brodrick’s suitability for the position due to her previous role as chief people officer at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust at a time when it lost a high-profile race discrimination case.
Nursing Times revealed today that Ms Brodrick received no salary or payout from the NMC for her brief appointment.
Ms Herniman has taken on the top role in an acting capacity while the NMC continues its search for an interim and then permanent chief executive and registrar.
