NHS England has appointed senior nurses to two newly created roles concerning the transformation of the nursing profession.

As the new director of nursing for transformation, Paul Vaughan will support innovation in the profession and oversee efforts to improve the image of nursing, primary and community care.

Vaughan will join from the Royal College of Nursing where he is currently regional director for the West Midlands.

Heather Caudle, chief nurse at Ashford & St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust, will become director of nursing for improvement. In this role she will oversee safeguarding, continuing healthcare and midwifery and children’s care.

An NHS spokesperson said that no start dates had been finalised but that it was expected both appointments would begin during the summer, according to Nursing Times who reported the appointments.

Professor Jane Cummings, chief nursing officer for England, said: “I am thrilled to be working with both Paul and Heather on some of the challenges that matter the most to our workforce.

“This crucial work will drive the changes needed so that we can continue to provide the best possible care to our patients.”

Caudle said: “As a profession we know where changes can drive better patient experience and outcomes – I am very much looking forward to working closely with you all in order to help achieve this.”