NMC welcomes appointment of new Chief Midwifery Officer for Scotland

Sarah trained as a General Nurse in 1991 and later qualified as a midwife, working in hospitals across Edinburgh while completing a degree in Health Studies.

She has held a range of clinical and leadership roles in the Scottish Borders over the past 22 years, including as a Sonographer and, most recently, Associate Director of Nursing for Acute Services and Head of Midwifery.

Ms Horan currently serves as Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals at NHS Borders. She will take up the post in September 2026.

She’ll be working closely with the Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Aisha Holloway.

Paul Rees MBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“On behalf of the NMC, I’d like to congratulate Sarah as the new Chief Midwifery Officer for Scotland and wish her every success in the role.

“Sarah’s appointment is of crucial importance, with Independent Review to Improve Maternity Care now underway and the Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce continuing its vital work.

“We look forward to working closely with Sarah, as we work towards making safe, equitable care the norm for women, babies and families in Scotland and throughout the UK.

“I also want to thank interim Chief Midwifery Officer, Gillian Morton MBE, for her continued leadership and dedication to midwifery services.”

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