First report shows the introduction of revalidation is a success
1 August 2016
Data published today shows that over 35,000 (91 percent) nurses and midwives due to renew their registration, have now completed the revalidation process.
The first report from the NMC examines data for the first three months of revalidation which shows that renewal rates are in line with expectations and there is no evidence of revalidation having an adverse effect on the register.
Across the four UK countries, revalidation rates are very similar, ranging from 91 percent to 94 percent. The number of those revalidating varied in line with the size of the geographical areas, with nurses and midwives in England representing the largest group (80 percent); followed by Scotland (9 percent); Wales (5 percent); Northern Ireland (4 percent), and the remaining 2 percent from those living outside the UK.
NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Jackie Smith, said:
"This demonstrates that nurses and midwives across the four countries are embracing revalidation. Feedback so far is overwhelmingly positive."
Revalidation is the biggest change to the regulation of nurses and midwives in the NMC’s history. It was introduced by the NMC in April 2016, fulfilling a key recommendation from the Francis report into the failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. The new process means that the UK's 692,000 nurses and midwives now have to demonstrate on a regular basis that they are able to deliver care in a safe, effective and professional way.
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Notes for editors
1. For media enquiries, please contact Ben Jackson on 020 7681 5649 or email media@nmc-uk.org.
2. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent professional regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK. We exist to protect the public. We do this by maintaining the register of qualified nurses and midwives and setting standards of education, training, conduct and performance. We make sure that nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date through a regular revalidation process. If concerns are raised about the standards of a registered nurse or midwife, we have a duty to investigate and, where necessary, take action to protect the public.
