Dame Eileen Sills has announced her resignation from her role as the National Guardian for speaking up safely within the NHS.
Sir Robert Francis QC has offered non-executive support to the Office of the National Guardian until a new appointment is made.
Dame Eileen is Chief Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She was appointed to the new role in January. She said: “It has been a very difficult decision to take but after two months it is very clear that it is not possible to combine the role of the National Guardian –and establishment of the office –with the increasing challenges NHS providers face, while doing justice to both roles. My commitment to our patients and staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust means that I have to step down from the National Guardian role.”
