Variety of professionals from many settings informing Code and revalidation reviews

The regulator has formed a Breadth of Practice Advisory Group – one of three advisory groups – to ensure that it hears diverse perspectives and experiences from across the professions. 

The group includes voices from across the NHS and independent providers, as well as from social care, primary care, community care, education and research, commissioning, management and leadership. 

The group’s early discussions have included the importance of future-proofing the Code’s role in tackling racism and other forms of discrimination in health and care. 

Other topics discussed so far include how the NMC can promote the Code’s role as a tool to support professionals in their practice; professionals’ role in ensuring sustainability in their practice; and a new draft vision for revalidation centred on its role in helping registrants to develop and reflect on their practice.  

A recent survey of professionals by the NMC showed that 40% of respondents said they had experienced discrimination in the past year, most often on the grounds of ethnicity or age.

The NMC will continue to hear from its three advisory groups as the regulator works towards a public consultation on final proposals in September. 

Joanne Bosanquet MBE leads The Foundation of Nursing Studies and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey. Joanne, who is co-chair of the Breadth of Practice Advisory Group alongside NMC colleagues, said: 

“I am thoroughly delighted and privileged to be appointed as co-chair of the Breadth of Practice Advisory Group and member of the Independent Steering Group. 

”Nursing and midwifery are globally significant professions. We must ensure that we establish a future-focused ethical code and revalidation process that prepares us to respond to population needs and advocate for our citizens and communities. 

“I will ensure a broad and diverse range of nursing and midwifery voices across the UK influence this review through this Advisory Group. We will provide advice, guidance, and feedback to the steering group throughout the entire process.”  

Joanne has supported the NMC across a number of programmes and is a long-standing member of the NMC Professional Strategic Advisory Group (PSAG).  

Prof Donna O’Boyle MBE, Acting Executive Director of Professional Practice, said: 

“It’s essential that we listen and learn from nurses, midwives and nursing associates across many settings and scopes of practice, so that our future Code and revalidation process are relevant and supportive for all professionals, everywhere.  

“Hearing from our new Breadth of Practice Advisory Group will help us to deliver a modernised Code and revalidation process that reflect the rapidly evolving health and care landscape – ensuring that these key regulatory tools continue to serve as an effective guide to professionals in their daily practice and development.” 

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