First report shows the introduction of revalidation is a success

New data shows that more than 90% of nurses and midwives due to revalidate, have completed the revalidation process.

The first report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) shows that, in the first three months, 35,000 nurses revalidated.

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The NMC has said this is in line with their expectations and added that there is no evidence of revalidation having an adverse effect on the register.

Across the UK, revalidation rates are very similar, ranging from 91% to 94%.

The number of those revalidating did however vary in line with the size of the geographical areas, with nurses and midwives in England representing the largest group (80%); followed by Scotland (9%); Wales (5%); Northern Ireland (4%), and the remaining 2% from those living outside the UK.

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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.

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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.