A caution order is the least restrictive sanction that can be applied in a case where the Fitness to Practise Committee has concluded that a nurse or midwife’s fitness to practise is impaired. It does not restrict the nurse or midwife’s ability to practise, but is recorded on the register and published on our website. It can be imposed for a period of between one and five years. It is disclosed to anyone enquiring about the nurse or midwife’s fitness to practise history.

Therefore, a caution may be appropriate where the case is at the lower end of the spectrum of impaired fitness to practise and the Fitness to Practise Committee wishes to mark that the behaviour was unacceptable and must not happen again.

When fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct and the Fitness to Practise Committee is minded to impose a caution order, it will always be necessary to consider whether a caution is sufficient to protect the public, given that it does not restrict the nurse or midwife’s practice rights. It would generally only be appropriate where the Fitness to Practise Committee is satisfied that there is no risk to the public or to patients which requires the nurse or midwife’s practice to be restricted.