DoH Chief Nursing Officer

Maria McIlgorm was appointed to the post of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the Department of Health in March 2021.

Prior to joining the Department, Maria was a professional advisor within the Scottish Government.

Maria joined the nursing register in 1988 before becoming a midwife in 1990. Since then she has worked across a range of acute and community settings within Health and Social care in England and Scotland and has gained extensive leadership, management and strategic experience.

Maria graduated from the University of the West of England in 1994 with an undergraduate degree in Midwifery. In 2011, Maria successfully completed a leadership programme with the Harvard Business School, gaining a postgraduate diploma in Leadership Practice from Edinburgh Napier University. Most recently, Maria completed a Coaching and Leading for Improvement Programme through NHS Scotland.

As Chief Nursing Officer, Maria leads the nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals’ contribution to the development and implementation of health and social care policy in Northern Ireland.

Her team of professional nurses, midwives and AHPs provide advice on adult and children's acute services, mental health, elderly care, learning and physical disabilities, public health, community health, primary care, midwifery, and international issues relating to nursing, midwifery and Allied Health Professionals.

They also advise on the regulation of professions, education policy, workforce planning and development.