NMC approves proposed changes to Fitness to Practise and Registration legislation

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has approved proposed changes to its Fitness to Practise (FtP) Rules and Education, Registration and Registration Appeals Rules which will enable it to carry out some of its core regulatory functions in a more effective way. 

The Council approved proposed legislation changes which will enable the NMC to: 

• Introduce case examiners to the FtP process who will determine whether a nurse or midwife have a case to answer at the early stages of the FtP process.

• Introduce the ability to review no case to answer decisions where the Registrar has reason to believe a decision was materially flawed, or new information may lead to a different decision. 

• Change the composition of registration appeal panels by removing the requirement for the Chair to be a serving member of the Council and removing the use of a registered medical practitioner as a panel member in health cases (medical opinion would be provided by expert witnesses open to cross examination).

• Be able to request and verify information relating to a professional indemnity arrangement.

Jackie Smith, Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC, said: 

“These changes will further strengthen the NMC’s ability to protect the public as well as allowing us to make additional efficiency savings by improving the effectiveness of our processes.” 

The approval by the NMC Council follows a period of consultation which received good support from key stakeholders. 

The Council will make the amendment Rules and then seek Privy Council approval of them once the amendments to the Nursing and Midwifery Order being progressed by the Department of Health come into force. 

It is anticipated that these Rules will take effect in early 2015.

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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.   For media enquiries, please contact Madeleine Childs at madeleine.childs@nmc-uk.org or on 020 7681 5936.