Have your say on revalidation and the Code

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched the first part of a consultation on revalidation and its review of the Code. 

The consultation will explore how the principles of revalidation can be applied in different practice and employment settings. It will also consider the content and structure of the Code, which is fundamental to good nursing and midwifery practice.  

Revalidation is a process by which registered nurses and midwives will demonstrate to the NMC that they remain fit to practise and continue to adhere to the professional standards set out in the Code. Everyone on the NMC’s register will need to revalidate every three years at the point of renewal of registration.

Revalidation aims to protect the public and increase public confidence in nurses and midwives. It enables nurses and midwives to demonstrate their commitment to professional development.

Dr Katerina Kolyva, Director of Continued Practice, said:

“This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to have their say about revalidation for nurses and midwives. To get this right we need to hear from a range of people who will be affected by revalidation, which includes anyone cared for by a nurse or midwife.

“We will use the responses to make sure revalidation works meaningfully across the entire landscape of nursing and midwifery. 

“The Code is central to revalidation, so we are also taking the opportunity to ask what a revised Code and supporting guidance should look like, feel like and contain.” 

The consultation will seek views on: 

• ways in which nurses and midwives can obtain confirmation of their continuing fitness to practise by someone well-placed to comment
• using practice-related feedback to improve standards of care
• how revalidation can meet the needs of an individual’s scope of practice or setting
• the look, feel and content of a revised Code

The consultation launches today and runs until 31 March 2014. This is the first of a two part consultation, with the second part to follow in spring 2014.

-End-

Notes for editors

1.   We are the nursing and midwifery regulator for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands. We exist to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. We set standards of education, training, conduct and performance for nurses and midwives, and hold the register of those who have qualified and meet those standards. We provide guidance to help nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date and uphold our professional standards. We have clear and transparent processes to investigate and deal with nurses and midwives who fall short of our standards.

2.   Further information about the consultation and the survey are available at www.nmc-uk.org/revalidation.

3.   The Code was last reviewed in 2007 and was introduced in its current form on 1 May 2008.

4.   The revised Code will be presented to Council at the end of 2014 and will come into force shortly after it has been approved.

5.   The principles to underpin revalidation were agreed upon by Council on 12 September 2013.

6.   For media enquiries, please contact Ann Brown or Madeleine Childs at media@nmc-uk.org or on 020 7681 5649/5936.