We understand that if you’re thinking about raising a concern with us, you have been and perhaps still are going through a difficult time.
The information in this section will give you some background about who we are, whether we're the right place to come, how we can help you and most importantly, what support we can offer you.
Who we are
The NMC is the professional regulator for all nurses and midwives in the UK and nursing associates in England.
We investigate concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates - something that affects less than one percent of professionals each year. We believe in giving professionals the chance to address concerns, but we’ll always take action when needed
Referrals helpline
Our new referrals helpline exists as an important first step if you’re considering raising a concern with us about a nurse, midwife or nursing associate. We can help explain more about who we are, whether we're the right place to come, how we can help you and most importantly, what support we can offer you.
By getting in touch with us, we can help you understand how to refer a nurse, midwife or nursing associate. Then, if you make a referral, we can better understand exactly what your concern is about and investigate it appropriately.
Call us on 020 3307 6802. Some calls will be recorded to help us train colleagues and monitor the quality of support we provide. We might use the recording to check details about fitness to practise referrals and complaints. There’s more information in our privacy notice.
Further support
We have an independent support line which is open 24/7 and can offer independent support through our fitness to practise process.
If you need support raising a concern or during the process, please read more on how we can help.
We also have teams in place to help you throughout the fitness to practise process. But if you want support from other specialist organisations, charities can help.
Advocacy after Fatal Domestic Abuse
Specialises in guiding families through inquiries including domestic homicide reviews and mental health reviews, and assists with and represent on inquests, Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) inquiries and other reviews. 07768 386 922.
Child Bereavement UK
Supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child or young person (up to age 25) is facing bereavement. This includes supporting adults to support a bereaved child or young person. All advice is free, confidential, has no time limit, and includes face-to-face sessions and booked telephone support. 0800 028 8840.
Child Death Helpline
Provides a freephone helpline for anyone affected by a child’s death, from pre-birth to the death of an adult child, however recently or long ago and whatever the circumstances of the death. It uses a translation service to support those for whom English is not a first language. Volunteers who staff the helpline are all bereaved parents, although supported and trained by professionals.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Offers free confidential support for adults and children when someone dies, by telephone, email or face-to-face.
Harmless
Provides a range of services about self-harm and suicide prevention including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm. Also to their friends and families and professionals and those at risk of suicide.
Hundred Families
Offers support, information and practical advice for families bereaved by people with mental health problems, including information on health service investigations.
INQUEST
Provides free and independent advice to bereaved families on investigations, inquests and other legal processes following a death in custody and detention. This includes deaths in mental health settings. Further information is available on their website including a link to ‘The INQUEST Handbook: A Guide For Bereaved Families, Friends and Advisors’.
Mencap Direct
Provides impartial advice to people with a learning disability.
Provides information on mental health care, signposts people to local advocacy services, and offers advice on mental health law.
24-hour National Domestic Violence
Freephone Helpline
0808 2000 247
0300 123 3393
Mind Legal Advice Line 0300 466 6463
National Survivor User Network
Is developing a network of mental health service users and survivors to strengthen user voices and campaign for improvements. It also has a useful page of links to user groups and organisations that offer counselling and support.
Patients Association
Provides advice, support and guidance to family members with a national helpline offering specialist information, advice and signposting. This does not include medical or legal advice. It can also help you make a complaint to the CQC.
Respond
Supports people with learning disabilities and their families and supporters to lessen the effect of trauma and abuse, through psychotherapy, advocacy and campaigning.
Rethink Advice and Information Service
The Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service offers practical help on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits, debt, criminal justice and carers rights. They also offer general help on living with mental illness, medication, care and treatment.
The line is open from 9:30am - 4pm
Monday to Friday.
Samaritans
0845 790 9090
Provides 24 hour confidential support services.
Sands
Supports those affected by the death of a baby before, during and shortly after birth, providing a bereavement support helpline, a network of support groups, an online forum and message board.
Sane Line
Offering specialist mental health emotional support 4.30-10.30pm every day.
You can also email by visiting their website.
Tel: 0300 304 7000
Support after Suicide Partnership
Provides helpful resources for those bereaved by suicide and signposting to local support groups and organisations.
Victim Support
Independent support and practical advice provided by Victim Support.
Related pages
- Concerns, complaints and referrals during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Who we are and how we regulate
- How we regulate and the types of concerns we look into
- Who you should raise a concern with
- What happens when we receive your concern
- Investigating your concern
- Examining cases
- Meetings and hearings
- How we reach an outcome and what to expect after a hearing
- Supporting you during our fitness to practise process
- Jargon buster
