|
|
About the NMC
|
 The NMC was established in 2002 and opened for business on 1 April of that year. Prior to that, the UKCC was the regulatory body.
Maintaining a register: The electronic register lies at the heart of public protection. All those considering employing a nurse, midwife or health visitor are able to, and are strongly encouraged to, check with the NMC that the person is on the register and has not been found guilty of misconduct. Employers and other are also able to check whether, for example, someone is qualified and registered to prescribe medicines.
Setting standards: Standards set by the NMC cover:
- admission to training - these are baseline standards which allow for vocational qualifications and work experience to be considered
- the first year of training, ie the end of the general course that all nurses undertake
- admission to the register - ensuring nurses and midwives are fit for practice
- staying on the register - continuing professional development and minimum hours in practice prior to re-registration
- removal from the register.
As well as the Code of professional conduct, which is the key standard set for practice, the NMC publishes a great deal of guidance for nurses, midwives and health visitors. A new Code was published in June 2002.
Giving advice: NMC provides guidelines for all those on the register in areas such as record-keeping, administration of medicines, scope of practice, accountability, etc. We provide specific advice for midwives, mental health nurses, learning disabilities nurses, etc. The NMC has a telephone advice service and a team of specialist nurses, midwives and health visitors who provide guidance to practitioners, managers, employers and the public.
Dealing with misconduct: The NMC receives around 1,300 complaints a year alleging misconduct by someone on the register. Many are not considered serious enough to warrant removal from the register, while many are serious but there is insufficient evidence or the witnesses are not reliable. The NMC works to the same standard of proof as the courts, so evidence has to be watertight. The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) meets in public and hears cases - like a court. If facts and misconduct are proved, the PCC usually removes the person from the register - mostly for some form of abuse. In a smaller number of cases, a formal caution is given. Around 150 people are removed from the register each year, the vast majority of whom are never restored to the register.
Quality assurance: In England, the NMC has a team of 140 visitors contracted to ensure that universities meet the standards it sets for nursing, midwifery and health visiting education. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the NMC has contracted with bodies established by the respective Assemblies and Parliaments to undertake this function.
Midwifery advice and guidance: The NMC provides training materials, professional advice and leadership for the Local Supervising Authorities for midwives.
Facts and figures: Each day the NMC handles/receives 2,000 changes to the register, 1,200 calls to the registration confirmation service from employers and agencies, and 400 calls to the advice service.
|
|
|
