The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK and nursing associates in England, with the fundamental role of protecting the public. A core part of this role is to investigate concerns raised about nurses, midwives and nursing associates and ensure they, as well as the public, are supported when involved in the fitness to practise process (FtP).

In July 2024, a damning report was published following an independent review by Nazir Afzal OBE and Rise Association (Rise Associates, 2024), which found the NMC to have a deep-rooted dysfunctional and toxic culture. This was in the context of concerns raised around safeguarding, the racist, discriminatory and bullying practices towards staff and the ineffective FtP processes. As such, there remain concerns that the NMC is neglecting its core function.

Recent evidence indicates that the NMC is failing in its duty of care to registrants and its staff and the potential risk to patient safety. The concerns about the culture of the NMC and areas of the regulatory process call into question its ability to effectively regulate the nursing profession. While the regulator is committed to transforming itself, the RCN should seek to influence and help shape changes to the regulatory process and ensure it is fit for purpose in the future.

References

Rise Associates and Afzal N (2024) The Nursing and Midwifery Council: Independent Culture Review. Available at: nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/independent-reviews/2024/nmc-independent-culture-review-july-2024.pdf