Jane Cummings worked as a nurse for many years specialising in emergency care before moving into general management. She has held a wide variety of clinical and managerial roles including Director of Commissioning, Director of Nursing and Deputy Chief Executive.

She was the nursing advisor for emergency care in CNO's office before becoming the national lead for emergency care in February 2004. This involved working closely with clinical colleagues and ministers to agree the 98% operational standard and subsequently improve the waiting time experienced by patients in emergency care.

Jane also worked with the Royal College of Nursing to develop the role of nurses and improve the experience and care of patients.

Jane Cummings moved to NHS North West in November 2007 where she had executive responsibility for the professional leadership of nursing, quality, performance, QIPP and commissioning. She was appointed as the Chief Nurse for the North of England SHA Cluster in October 2011 and is the national lead for the Energise for Excellence programme, which provides a coherent framework to mobilise nursing staff to improve quality and reduce costs. She is also the SRO for the Clinical Leader's Network in the North of England, the national nursing lead and a member of the national steering group, and has recently taken up the post of Chief Nursing Officer.

Jane is a trustee of the Over the Wall Children's Charity www.otw.org.uk and also volunteers as a nurse at the children's camps.