Attraction Subgroup Co-Chairs
Attracting and inspiring Scotland’s future nursing and midwifery workforce.
The Attraction Subgroup is co-chaired by Kathryn Brechin and Eileen McKenna. Overseeing delivery of the Attraction Recommended Actions, their role is to offer direction and enable implementation of transformative, sustainable outcomes.
Find out more about the Attraction Subgroup Co-Chairs:
Have a question or feedback?
If you have any questions about the information provided, or feedback on this website, please contact the Nursing and Midwifery Policy Team at the Scottish Government NMTenquiries@gov.scot.
Kathryn Brechin's Biography
“I am privileged to co‑chair the Attraction Subgroup and to support delivery of the Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce’s Recommended Actions. This work is shaped by the voices of our staff and professions, and it will strengthen how we attract and retain people in nursing and midwifery, offering a valued, varied and fulfilling career.”
Leadership Spotlight: Kathryn, Director of Nursing
Career History
Kathryn took up post as the Director of Nursing for NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and Director of Nursing for Public Health Scotland in February 2025.
Prior to this Kathryn has had a joint role as a Nurse Director in NHS Tayside and Professional Adviser in Scottish Government working in the Chief Nursing Officers Directorate as part of the Policy Team leading the Health Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 and Excellence in Care, and supporting the National eRostering implementation, providing professional leadership, advice, and guidance to these, and other programmes in Government. The balance of working in Government and in Board has been positive, enabling shared learning and strengthening connections between policy and healthcare delivery.
Education
Kathryn attended Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh and on graduating enjoyed a successful and rewarding career working in a number of NHS Hospitals and Trusts in England, broadening her experience within different areas of clinical practice before developing expertise within Oncology & Haematology nursing. Kathryn returned to Scotland in 2004 and following a short-term post at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, moved to the role of Clinical Nurse Manager at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre where she remained for 9 enriching years. Subsequent to this, Kathryn was employed as Head of Nursing for Quality, and interim Associate Nurse Director in NHS Fife, where she worked closely with colleagues to support the introduction of revalidation for registrants in NHS Fife, promote and empower professional leadership and quality improvement, as well as enable patient safety, reduced harm and promote person centred approaches to care. Kathryn then moved North to join NHS Tayside initially as Associate Nurse Director for the Dundee geography providing professional leadership to both acute and community services, before moving into the Operational Nurse Director role.
Away From Work: Kathryn’s World
Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys living in beautiful Fife with her husband, sailing, dog walking and being a mum to two boys.
Eileen McKenna's Biography
“Nursing and midwifery are fantastic careers, full of possibilities. As Co-Chair of the Attraction Subgroup, I am committed to supporting the delivery of this important work, to ensure nursing and midwifery students have the support they need to complete their studies, to highlight the diverse range of opportunities nursing and midwifery careers present and, ultimately, to encourage more people to choose our professions.”
Leadership Spotlight: Eileen, Associate Director of Nursing, Policy and Professional Practice
Eileen's Role in RCN Scotland
Eileen leads the professional arm of the RCN in Scotland. Her role involves overseeing education, policy, regulatory, workforce and professional practice matters that impact nurses and nursing across health and social care. This requires extensive collaboration and influencing with a range of external stakeholders in Scotland to shape the future of the profession.
Experience and Background
Eileen has extensive experience as a senior nursing leader in Scotland, having worked within a territorial NHS Board with responsibility for acute and community nursing services across a city and a corporate (regional) portfolio for nursing workforce, education, research and practice development, and has been the nurse lead on two Integrated Joint Boards. She has also served as a General Manager, managing complex service development, leading regional surgical and oncology services. Additionally, her background includes policy development within the Chief Nursing Officer’s Directorate at the Scottish Government.
Explore the Taskforce Website
