This guidance helps us to provide consistency and transparency when we draft charges. It will help us to make sure that all of our stakeholders, including case examiners, practice committee panels, the nurse or midwife facing an allegation, and the general public are aware of the approach we will take when we formulate charges about allegations of impaired fitness to practise. It makes sure that we adopt a proportionate approach when we draft charges, exercising our discretion in accordance with our statutory functions, public law obligations and duties under the Human Rights Act 1998.¹