NMC Covid-19 emergency register goes live with more than 7,000 former nurses and midwives ready to support health and social care services across the UK

More than 7,000 former nurses and midwives across all four countries of the UK are now on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) Covid-19 temporary register and ready to support the national effort in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

News of the Covid-19 temporary register coming into force arrives just seven days after the professional regulator wrote to around 50,000 nurses and midwives who had voluntarily left their professions within the last three years with its invitation to sign up and help the existing health and care workforce in this critical situation.

Now, 7,510 former nurses and midwives have been verified and admitted to the NMC’s Covid-19 temporary register enabling them to practise throughout the period of the emergency. Their details are being shared with national health and care organisations across all four countries of the UK. These organisations will assist in connecting temporary registrants with employers who will ensure they receive appropriate training, support and equipment as necessary.

Commenting on the launch of the NMC Covid-19 temporary register, Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“We’re living in the most extraordinary of times. To see thousands of former nursing and midwifery professionals make the decision so quickly to sign up to our temporary emergency register and join the Covid-19 response is simply incredible.

“To former nurses and midwives who left their professions within the last three years who haven’t already applied to join the NMC Covid-19 temporary register but would like to, it’s not too late. We need you. Please sign up here. 

“We know it’s a huge ask, but by offering to return to work in this hour of need, I know what a massive difference your expertise and experience will bring for everyone working in and receiving care in the NHS, in communities, in nursing homes and across the country during the challenging weeks and months ahead.

“To our returners – and to the 700,000 nurses, midwives, and nursing associates who are already playing an essential and much valued part in this pandemic – you are the heartbeat of our health and care system. Thank you.

“2020 was always going to be a year of global pride because of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife and now, more than ever, I couldn’t be prouder.”

ENDS 

• Further information will be regularly updated on our website: www.nmc.org.uk/covid19
• Our temporary register and emergency policy can be read here.
• Our Covid-19 temporary register data, by UK country and profession, is available on request. 

For further media enquiries, please contact the NMC press office on 0207 681 5984 or by email media@nmc-uk.org