NMC thanks professionals as Covid-19 temporary registration comes to an end

At the start of the pandemic, the Government introduced emergency legislation that allowed the NMC to set up the temporary register to support the health and social care workforce. It reached a peak of 15,457 professionals as of 31 March 2021.  

Since March 2022, we have not been temporarily registering new people as the relevant part of the Coronavirus Act 2020 expired. Then, as we previously announced in September 2023, the Government confirmed temporary registration would end. 

We’ve sent confirmation to everyone on the temporary register, along with employers, and continue to support those who wish to join the permanent register. 

Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar at the NMC, said: 

“We’re incredibly grateful to every nurse and midwife who joined the Covid-19 temporary register. In the face of fear and uncertainty for all of us, thousands joined the national effort to provide vital support for health and care services. 

“As the temporary register ends, it’s important we recognise all those professionals who lent their skills and compassion to protecting people in the most vulnerable circumstances during the peak of the crisis. Their selfless efforts will have made a big difference to people’s lives, especially through their contributions to the Covid-19 vaccination campaign.” 

Further information: 

• As of 29 February 2024, there were 1,049 professionals remaining on the temporary register. As of the same date, 2,501 professionals had moved across to the permanent register, not including the internationally educated professionals who had joined the temporary register while in the process of applying to join the permanent register. 

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