Nursing and Midwifery Council facts for kids
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| Founded | 2001 |
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| Headquarters | London, WC2 Offices in Edinburgh; Cardiff |
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Key people
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Paul Rees, CEO |
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is an important group that makes sure nurses and midwives in the UK are doing a great job. They keep a list of all nurses, midwives, and nursing associates who are allowed to work in the UK. The NMC also sets rules for their training and how they should act. If someone doesn't follow these rules, the NMC investigates.
The NMC has been a legal organisation since 2002. Its main goal is to keep the public healthy and safe. It is also a charity, which means it helps people and doesn't make a profit.
Contents
How the NMC Started
The UKCC: A Look Back
Before the NMC, there was a group called the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC). It started in 1983. The UKCC took over from several older groups. Its job was to keep a list of nurses and midwives. It also gave advice and handled complaints about professional behaviour.
In 1990, the UKCC introduced a new way to train nurses called Project 2000. This program helped nurses get their qualifications through higher education. Later, in 1995, they started a plan for nurses and midwives to keep learning after they qualified. This plan eventually led to the "Revalidation" system we have today.
Creating the NMC
The UKCC worked until April 2002. Then, the new Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) took over its jobs. This change was made official by a law passed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The NMC now handles quality checks for nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
What the NMC Council Does
The NMC has a special group called the Council. This Council has two main jobs. First, it decides the big plans and goals for the NMC. Second, it watches over the work of the NMC's senior staff.
The Council also makes sure the NMC follows all the important laws. This includes laws about nursing and midwifery, and laws about charities.
The Council has 12 members. Some are nurses or midwives, and others are experts from different areas. They are chosen by a group called the Privy Council. The current Council started its work on 1 May 2013.
The NMC's Main Goals
The NMC works hard to:
- Keep people healthy and safe.
- Set clear rules for training and behaviour. This helps nurses and midwives give excellent healthcare.
- Make sure nurses and midwives keep their skills sharp. They must also follow the NMC's professional rules.
- Have fair ways to check on nurses and midwives. If someone doesn't meet the standards, the NMC investigates.
How the NMC Works
The NMC has a budget of over £52 million each year. It employs more than 400 people. To do its work, the NMC charges a fee to nurses and midwives who want to be on its register.
Training and Education
The NMC sets the rules for nursing and midwifery education in the UK. These rules help decide what students learn. They also make sure that nurses and midwives know and can do what's needed for their job.
The NMC approves universities and colleges to teach these programs. They currently approve about 1000 programs at 79 different schools.
When students finish their training, their school tells the NMC. If they meet all the standards, they can apply to join the register. Each year, over 22,000 new nurses and midwives join the NMC register.
Keeping a Register of Professionals
As of 2017, there were 690,773 nurses and midwives on the NMC register. This means the NMC looks after the largest number of healthcare workers in the UK. Nurses and midwives must be on this register to work in the UK. Anyone can search the NMC register to check.
As of 2019, there were also 1,000 nursing associates on the NMC register.
Setting Professional Standards
The NMC has a special rulebook called "The Code." This code became active on 31 March 2015. It contains rules for how all nurses and midwives should act and work.
The Code has four main parts:
- Put people first.
- Work effectively.
- Keep people safe.
- Be professional and trustworthy.
The Code was updated to fit changes in healthcare and society. It now includes new rules about basic care, being honest, speaking up about concerns, and using social media.
The Code helps nurses and midwives promise to follow these standards. If a registered nurse or midwife doesn't follow the Code, the NMC can take action. In serious cases, they might even be removed from the register.
Revalidation: Staying Up-to-Date
The NMC has a system called revalidation. This system started in October 2015. All nurses and midwives in the UK must go through it to stay on the NMC register. They need to renew their registration every three years. To do this, they must show they are still fit to practice.
They need to prove they have worked enough hours and kept learning. They also need to show they have used feedback to improve their work. Someone who knows them well must confirm they are still good at their job.
The NMC tested this system with over 2,000 nurses and midwives. Revalidation officially began on 1 April 2016. All nurses on the NMC register will go through revalidation when it's time to renew their registration.
Handling Complaints
The NMC also handles complaints about nurses and midwives. They investigate serious concerns. The NMC has the power to limit a nurse's or midwife's work. In some cases, they can remove them from the register.
The NMC also gives advice to nurses and midwives on how to speak up if they have concerns. This helps them protect the public when needed.
Laws and Regulations
Changes to Healthcare Rules
In 2014, a group called the Law Commission suggested new laws. These laws aimed to make rules for healthcare workers simpler and more flexible. The NMC welcomed these suggestions. They said new laws would help them work better and faster.
Overseeing the NMC
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) is an independent group. It checks on the nine UK healthcare regulators, including the NMC. The PSA makes sure these regulators are doing a good job.
In 2015, the PSA checked the NMC's work. They found that while the NMC had improved, there were still areas where it needed to do better.
See Also
- Nursing in the United Kingdom
- Royal College of Nursing
- Maternity in the United Kingdom
