NMC marks International Nurses Day 2026
Published on 12 May 2026
Today – on International Nurses Day – the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is recognising the vital contribution that nursing professionals make to people’s health and wellbeing across the four countries of the UK.
Paul Rees MBE, Chief Executive and Registrar, said:
“All of us will rely on the care of a nursing professional at some stage in our lives – on any given day, they could be our lifeline.
“Across hospitals and in the community, in care homes and people’s homes, in schools and universities – over 800,000 nurses and nursing associates underpin the nation’s health and wellbeing.
“That's why, on this International Nurses Day, I want to celebrate the nursing professionals on the register who strive to deliver safe and equitable care for people and communities across the UK.
“We owe it to them to be the strong and independent regulator that everyone wants to see – working with the profession to inspire public confidence.
“We’re determined the NMC will rise to this challenge – through making Fitness to Practise more timely, through our work to modernise the Code, Revalidation process and the standards, through our work to oversee excellent education for nursing professionals and through our work to tackle racism through our new anti-racism principles for midwifery and nursing education and practice.
“But today is simply about saying thank you to nurses and nursing associates across the UK – your dedication, compassion and skill make a vital difference.”
Other recent news…
Reflections of a nurse: Caroline Ogunsola
Published on 12 May 2026
For Caroline, Professional Development Lead Nurse at East London NHS Foundation Trust, nursing is about combining expertise with leadership.
Reflections of a nurse: Roisin Devlin
Published on 12 May 2026
After almost 35 years in nursing, Roisin reflects on a career shaped by compassion, leadership and service.
Reflections of a midwife: James Harris
Published on 05 May 2026
James, who is a Midwifery Policy Advisor at the NMC, shares his reflections on what it means to be a midwife, as the profession celebrates International Day of