Latest data show NMC resolving cases at fastest rate in over five years
Published on 24 February 2026
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is resolving Fitness to Practise (FtP) cases at its fastest rate in more than five years, according to new data.
In January 2026, the regulator’s key timeliness metric – the rolling average of FtP cases being resolved end-to-end within 15 months – rose to 74%, which is the highest it’s been since December 2020.
It is also up from 73.3% in December 2025 and a significant increase from 65.9% in January 2025.
The NMC has continued to improve the timeliness of FtP despite consistently having to manage high volumes of referrals (new concerns raised). The average number of monthly referrals has risen to 590, compared to an average of 540 at the start of 2025.
A further 617 referrals were received in January – up from 595 in December.
The latest data also show that the regulator’s FtP teams made over 200 more decisions (either case progressions or closures) in January compared to December (972 compared to 765).
Lesley Maslen, Executive Director of Professional Regulation, said:
“We’ve started 2026 by maintaining our upward trajectory in the timeliness of our Fitness to Practise casework.
“Thanks to the continued hard work of our teams, we’re now resolving cases at the fastest rate in more than five years, meaning people are seeing quicker decisions about the cases they’re involved in.
“It’s important we don’t get complacent, as we know not everyone going through our processes share the same experience, while we’re also still facing high demand.
"We’re determined to meet this challenge, as we continue to build a new NMC that has a faster, fairer and more compassionate FtP process for the benefit of everyone involved.”
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