NMC reports on extraordinary review visit to North Wales​

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published the reports from its joint extraordinary review of education programmes and midwifery supervision in North Wales. The review visits took place between 20–22 July 2015.

The joint extraordinary reviews were commissioned after concerns about the provision of education for nursing and midwifery students and the supervision of midwives were communicated to the NMC. 

The two review reports focus on the education programmes run by Bangor University and the Local Supervising Authority (LSA) function which is managed by Health Inspectorate Wales. 

After speaking to various people including students, service users, members of the nursing and midwifery programme teams and representatives of the LSA, the review team identified several key issues and found that a number of our standards were not being met.

Jackie Smith, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said: 

“The reports from our extraordinary review show that there are serious concerns around the nursing and midwifery education programmes and the LSA function in North Wales. 

“We need to be assured that our standards for education and the supervision of midwives are being met, and that the public’s safety is protected.

“It is essential that all the relevant organisations collaborate to address the issues raised by the review. We will work closely with Bangor University, Health Inspectorate Wales and other stakeholders to improve the situation and strengthen public protection.”

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Notes for editors

1.   The Nursing and Midwifery Council exists to protect the public. We do this by ensuring that only those who meet our requirements are allowed to practise as a nurse or midwife in the UK. We take action if concerns are raised about whether a nurse or midwife is fit to practise.

2.   The extraordinary review focused on compliance with the NMC standards for pre-registration nursing and midwifery education, and Midwives rules and standards (2012). It was conducted in line with our quality assurance framework.

3.   The extraordinary review reports will be available at www.nmc.org.uk/standards/what-to-expect-from-a-nurse-or-midwife/how-midwives-are-regulated/reviewer-and-extraordinary-reports on 26 October. 

4.   For media enquiries, please contact Hannah Schraer at media@nmc-uk.org or on 020 7681 5936. If you would like to receive embargoed copies of the extraordinary review reports, please email media@nmc-uk.org.