NMC maintains progress in timeliness of fitness to practise casework

The rolling average is now at its highest since March 2021. This is despite sustained high demand with a further 559 referrals (new concerns) raised with us last month.

Our teams are also continuing to deliver a high volume of decisions (progressions or case closures) across all stages of FtP – with 11,528 decisions made in the 12 months to August. This is an average of 961 decisions a month, compared to an average of 751 in the previous 12-month period.

Our progress has been mainly driven by decisions at screening – the earliest stage of the process. Building on that, we remain focused on making improvements in other parts of FtP.

Lesley Maslen, Executive Director of Professional Regulation at the NMC, said:

“It’s encouraging that we have maintained momentum, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our teams.

“Making fair, timely decisions is paramount to protect the public and to minimise the distress long waits for a decision can have on the people involved in our processes.

“Our Fitness to Practise Plan is working, but it’s important that as demand remains high, we don’t get complacent. We remain focused on delivering decisions that are timely, fair, and compassionate at all stages of our process.”

Further information

• Careline: we offer an independent service run by specially trained counsellors, providing confidential emotional and practical support to professionals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Referral: This is what we call a new concern submitted to us about a nursing or midwifery professional on our register 
• Screening: This is the initial assessment stage when we receive a new concern about a professional on our register and decide whether it should go to a full investigation 

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