Investigations into whistleblowing at NMC delayed and recommissioned

Two independent investigations surrounding whistleblowing at the nursing regulator have been recommissioned and pushed back until later this year.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said there had been several factors that have caused delays to the reviews – which were meant to be received in early 2024.

In addition, it said that due to ‘personal reasons’, Ijeoma Omambala KC – who was commissioned to lead the investigations in 2023 – ‘has not been able to deliver her reports within anticipated timescales’.

‘In the circumstances, we have decided to recommission the reviews with a view to publishing the reports in mid-autumn,’ the NMC said in a statement on its website.

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One of the independent investigations is focused on fitness to practise (FtP) cases raised by a NMC whistleblower and the other is around the regulator’s handling of whistleblowing itself.

The investigations and the appointment of leading barrister Ms Omambala KC were announced in October 2023, following concerns raised in The Independent online newspaper.

The newspaper had reported that nurses and midwives accused of serious sexual, physical and racial abuse had been allowed to keep working on wards because whistleblowers were ‘being ignored’ by the NMC.

In July 2024, a separate independent review of the NMC’s culture – led by former public prosecutor Nazir Afzal, with Rise Associates – identified a ‘dangerously toxic culture’ in which bullying, racism and burnout were putting nurses and the public at risk.

The NMC has since appointed several new leadership roles – including a new chair of council, a new chief executive and new equality, diversity and inclusion leads.

A statement on its website this week said there were ‘a number of factors that have caused delays’ to the whistleblowing investigations, ‘including waiting for the report of the Independent Culture Review and a subsequent wide-ranging grievance’.

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‘Ms Omambala KC received the grievance report – which was the final outstanding matter – on 7 April,’ it added.

Now that the NMC has decided to recommission the investigations, it said it would confirm who is appointed to lead them ‘in due course’.

‘Ms Omambala KC will hand over relevant evidence directly to them,’ an NMC statement said.

‘The NMC has not received any reports, findings or indication of findings from Ms Omambala KC.’

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) chief nursing officer, Lynn Woolsey, said that nursing staff will be ‘deeply disappointed’ by the delays, especially now the recommendations will not come until ‘at least’ two years since the reviews were first launched.

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‘Fitness to Practice cases can be one of the most distressing experiences for a nurse and they deserve the highest standards from their regulator.

‘It’s now imperative that the NMC take full responsibility for these delays and move swiftly to conclude the reviews. Nursing professionals demand nothing less than processes which are transparent, fair, timely and free from racism and bias, recognising the impact on individuals,’ she said.