NMC launches consultation into proposed changes to fitness to practise processes

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has today launched a consultation on proposed changes to its fitness to practise processes.

The consultation will seek views on changes to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004, which will enable us to be more efficient and effective.

Proposed changes will allow us to give advice, issue warnings and recommend undertakings which we currently cannot do with our legislation.

We are also seeking views on the NMC’s approach to reviewing decisions where there has been a finding of no case to answer.

Jackie Smith, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar said:

"I have maintained for a long time that our current legislation is outdated and in need of major reform. We know, and accept that it currently takes too long and costs too much to conclude cases. The launch of this consultation is a crucial step towards modernising our processes, which will better enable us to protect the public.

"We have worked closely with the Department of Health on these proposed changes which will allow us to develop a more proportionate approach to cases, with new powers to resolve some less contentious matters more simply and quickly, taking only the most serious cases to a full hearing."

This consultation follows on from the Department of Health’s consultation which ran from April to June 2016 which sought views on changes to our wider legislation.

Full details of the consultation, including how to respond can be found on our website.

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Notes for editors

1. For media enquiries, please contact NMC press office on 020 7681 5884 or email media@nmc-uk.org
    
2. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent professional regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK. We exist to protect the public. We do this by maintaining the register of qualified nurses and midwives and setting standards of education, training, conduct and performance. We make sure that nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date through a regular revalidation process. If concerns are raised about the standards of a registered nurse or midwife, we have a duty to investigate and, where necessary, take action to protect the public.