2023-2024 in review: what we have done and the work ahead

We’ve published our Annual Report and Accounts, Annual Fitness to Practise (FtP) Report and our equality and diversity data for the past year.

2023-24 was a difficult year for the NMC during which serious concerns were raised about our culture and regulatory decision making. We commissioned a review by Nazir Afzal OBE and Rise Associates, which highlighted safeguarding concerns and found that people working in the organisation have experienced racism, other forms of discrimination and bullying. Behaviours of this kind should never have had any place at the NMC. We have apologised and promised action. You can read our full response here.

We also commissioned two independent investigations by Ijeoma Omambala KC into some of our fitness to practise cases and the way we handled whistleblowing concerns being raised. These will be published later in 2024.

While responding to these concerns, the NMC continued with its core regulatory functions.

• Our Council has approved the recommendation that we proceed to develop an approach to the additional regulation of advanced nursing and midwifery practice. This follows the independent research we commissioned by The Nuffield Trust, involving engagement with professionals and the public.
• Following the withdrawal of our approval of Canterbury Christ Church University’s midwifery programme in the interests of women and babies, we approved the transfer of students to the University of Surrey so they could swiftly and safely complete their studies.
• We approved five new education institutions to run a nursing or midwifery programme, increasing the number to 98 and covering more than 1,900 degree programmes.

Our latest reports also confirm that we did not meet our target of reducing our fitness to practise caseload. We’ve committed £30m to fitness to practise – a significant amount that our Council approved in March - with a particular focus on investment and improvement over the next 18 months, to ensure that this will be sustainable into the future.

Helen Herniman, NMC Acting Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“It’s crucial for the nursing and midwifery professions and the public we serve that we are able to regulate effectively and in a person-centred way. To do that, we must have a high-performing, inclusive culture that values and supports all our colleagues. We’re committed to delivering on the recommendations that Nazir Afzal OBE and Rise Associates made in their report on our culture.

“Alongside this, we have shifted our focus to five priority outcomes as part of our corporate plan 2024-2026 – this includes significantly improving the timeliness and quality of our fitness to practise decision-making, both for the benefit of the public and the professionals on our register.

“We know there is a lot of work ahead, but we’re determined to become a more inclusive employer so that our people feel empowered to deliver our regulatory work effectively. In turn, we can support our professions to provide outstanding care for people and be a positive influence within the health and social care sector.”

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