In screening we’ll look at the concern to decide if there is an ongoing risk to public safety, public confidence or professional standards if that professional continues to practise without restrictions.
We have broad powers to make enquiries to help us decide whether a concern raised with us suggests a risk that could require us to take action.
Many of the concerns we receive do not require us to take regulatory action and can be more appropriately investigated and dealt with by an employer or contractor.
Find out more about the employer’s role in fitness to practise.
Find out more about raising a concern with a nurse, midwife or nursing associate's employer.
Risks we look at to decide if regulatory action is needed could include risks to patients, services or the public's confidence in the nursing, midwifery or nursing associate profession.
Some factors that we take into account when looking at ongoing risk at the screening stage include:
- if the alleged actions could have put a member of the public at serious risk of harm
- if the concern is about an isolated incident or a pattern of behaviour over time
- if the concern relates to dishonesty or breaches of the duty of candour
- concerns where there's evidence of bullying, discrimination or harassment of colleagues or members of the public
- if the situation could seriously damage public trust in nurses, midwives or nursing associates, or undermine professional standards
- if the concern involves serious leadership or management failings on the part of professionals on our register.
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