In screening we'll look at the concern to decide if it’s serious enough for us to take regulatory action to protect the public and uphold confidence in the professions.
We have broad powers to look into the seriousness of concerns we receive. We look at what the risks are if the nurse, midwife or nursing associate doesn't address or put right the concerns that have been raised.
Many of the concerns we receive aren't serious enough for us to take regulatory action, but this doesn't mean these concerns shouldn't be looked at. We usually recommend raising these cases with employers to investigate and resolve.
Find out more about the employer’s role in fitness to practise.
Find out more about raising a concern with a nurse, midwife or nursing associate's employer.
Risks we look at to decide if regulatory action is needed could include risks to patients, services or the public's confidence in the nursing, midwifery or nursing associate profession.
Some factors that we take into account when looking at seriousness at the screening stage include:
- if the alleged actions could have put a member of the public at serious risk of harm
- if the concern is about an isolated incident or a pattern of behaviour over time
- if the concern relates to dishonesty or breaches of the duty of candour
- concerns where there's evidence of bullying, discrimination or harassment of colleagues or members of the public
- if the situation could seriously damage public trust in nurses, midwives or nursing associates, or undermine professional standards
- if the concern involves serious leadership or management failings on the part of professionals on our register.
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