Coronavirus (Covid-19): Information and advice

We know that you may be feeling anxious about Covid-19 and the impact that it may have on your role as a registered professional.

We’ve put together this information to keep you informed as the situation progresses.

Your wellbeing

The people on our register are doing extraordinary things in the face of an extraordinary challenge, and some might need more support than ever before. Getting the help you need will help you to care for others.

Several organisations have developed resources to support the mental wellbeing of those working in health or social care – we’ve listed some of these below.

The list isn’t exhaustive. Your employer, university or union may have other resources available for you to use. 

Revalidation

During the emergency we recognise that there are some factors that may make it difficult for you to complete your revalidation. 

Find out more about revalidation during Covid-19

Working in line with the Code

As mentioned in our joint statement, we recognise that in highly challenging circumstances you may need to depart from established procedures in order to care for patients and people using health and social care services.

Our regulatory standards are designed to be flexible and to provide a framework for decision-making in a wide range of situations.

In line with the Code, use your professional judgment, work with other colleagues across all disciplines to assess risk, and find the best way to provide care for people while recognising and working within the limits of your competence.

Can I refuse to care for someone who may be infected if I feel I may be at risk?

We know that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are experienced in dealing with challenging health issues, including infected patients, on a daily basis.

As part of planning preparations, it’s our job to make sure you’re aware that the Code continues to apply. Section 1 explains what you should do to make sure people’s individual needs are recognised, assessed and responded to without undue delay.

It’s also important that you’re supported to take account of your own safety and wellbeing. Your employer is there to help by managing resources effectively and dealing with risk so that that the quality of care or service you provide for people can be maintained.

If you have any concerns that you believe puts you or those you are caring for at increased risk in your workplace, please share these with your manager as soon as possible so they can make sure you’re able to practise safely.

What does the Code tell me to do in this type of emergency situation?

Some professional standards and behaviours, as set out in the Code, that may be particularly helpful to bear in mind at this time include:

  • Acting in the best interests of people at all times within the limits of your knowledge and competence.
  • Keeping to and promoting recommended practice and guidance in relation to controlling and preventing infection.
  • As well as your own safety, taking account of the safety of others and the availability of other options for providing care.
If an employer asks a nurse, midwife or nursing associate to take a Covid-19 test and they refuses to be tested, will they be at risk of a fitness to practise referral to the NMC?

Where a nurse, midwife or nursing associate refuses to agree to a Covid-19 test that will primarily be a matter for their employer to deal with. Depending on the individual circumstances, an employer could decide to take disciplinary action against the nurse, midwife or nursing associate.

However, the NMC’s Code says that nurses, midwives and nursing associates must:

  • take all reasonable personal precautions necessary to avoid any potential health risks to colleagues, people receiving care and the public (para 19.4)
  • maintain the level of health you need to carry out your professional role (para 20.9)

Refusing to agree to a Covid-19 test could be regarded as a failure to comply with these requirements of the Code, depending on the individual circumstances.

Returning to practice

You can contact the health service in the country you live in to find out more about returning to clinical practice:

Expanding the nursing and midwifery workforce

We’ve published joint statements with nursing and midwifery leaders on expanding the workforce in the Covid-19 outbreak.

Together, these statements set out the actions we will take during the emergency, including:

  • establishing a Covid-19 temporary register for certain groups of people
  • introducing a set of emergency programme standards to enable students to use their knowledge and skills appropriately during this time of crisis to support the care of people.

Other information you might find useful

Related pages