NMC seeks more views on fairer, more equitable nursing and midwifery education

Over 5,600 people across the four nations of the UK have already shared their views, including nursing and midwifery professionals, students, educators, employers, researchers, members of the public and organisations.

More than 500 of those who have responded are from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds – the NMC is encouraging more people to share their views over the final week of the consultation.

The proposals include:

• Reducing the minimum number of hours required for nursing programmes from 4,600 to 3,600 hours
• Extending midwifery programmes from three to four years
• Requiring all nursing students to complete at least one community-based practice learning placement.
• Strengthening requirements for Approved Education Institutions (AEIs) and their practice learning partners so that all nursing, nursing associate and midwifery professionals can develop the evidence-based skills, knowledge and experience they need around anti-racism, bias awareness, cultural curiosity, safety and respect.

These proposals also sit alongside the NMC’s wider work on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), including its new anti-racism principles for midwifery and nursing education and practice.

The principles are the regulator’s contribution to urgently tackle the health inequities suffered by racially minoritised people – including the Black maternal health crisis, which leads to Black, Asian and minority ethnic women and their children being more likely to die, or suffer harm during pregnancy, childbirth or after birth.

The principles are intended to drive real change – ahead of the introduction of an updated NMC Code in 2027, which will expressly set the expectations of all nursing and midwifery professionals to recognise, challenge and disrupt racism.

Chris Dzikiti, Executive Director of Professional Practice at the NMC, said:

“Our proposals are about making sure that nursing and midwifery education reflects the realities of modern health and care, and enabling students to gain the high-quality practice learning they need to join the register and deliver safe, equitable care.

“Our proposals include strengthening expectations around anti-racism, bias awareness, cultural curiosity, and inclusive practice within practice learning – signalling the NMC’s commitment to addressing the Black maternal health crisis, and creating healthcare environments where equity, safety and respect are non-negotiable.

“With a week of our consultation still to run, there’s time for everyone, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, to have their say on our proposals – to help ensure that any changes to our practice learning standards support future professionals to meet the realities of diverse, modern practice.”

Further information

• Take part in the practice learning review consultation here.
• The consultation follows two years of research involving students, professionals, educators, practice learning partners and members of the public. During 2025 alone, the NMC held 25 engagement events attended by more than 1,250 people across the UK.
• Evidence gathered by the regulator found that while many students report positive practice learning experiences, the quality of those experiences can vary.
• The consultation therefore asks whether changes are needed to ensure future nurses, midwives and nursing associates are consistently equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
  • Read the anti-racism principles here.

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