NMC Code and revalidation reviews to be informed by patients

A review of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and revalidation process is being informed by members of the public to ensure any changes reflect the ‘values and expectations’ of those that nurses and midwives care for.

A new Public Advisory Group has been created for the reviews, made up of people with lived experience of care, as well as representatives from charity and advocacy groups, to offer advice to the NMC.

In an inaugural meeting of the group last week, members discussed themes such as personalised care, safe ways of working, staff wellbeing, communication, rights and public understanding of the NMC’s role.

Jacob Lant, chief executive of National Voices and co-chair of the Public Advisory Group, said: ‘Like many other professions, nursing and midwifery must keep pace with the changes the modern world throws at us.

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‘And with the impact of artificial intelligence and the implications of social media in how professionals conduct themselves in and out of work, now is absolutely the right time for the NMC to review the Code that governs the expectations of nursing and midwifery professionals.

‘By linking this work with a review of revalidation, the NMC can give professionals clarity on the standards they must uphold, while ensuring continuing professional development and reflective practice directly support this.’

He added: ‘I look forward to working with the Public Advisory Group and our expert members to put patients and the public at the heart of the process. We want a Code and revalidation process that works for professionals and helps them deliver for patients and the public.’

The experiences of service users are helping to shape the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) review of the Code and revalidation process – as the regulator ensures that changes to these key regulatory tools are grounded in what matters most to the public.

The reviews are crucial to ensure that the Code and revalidation process reflect a rapidly evolving health and social care landscape, and support nurses, midwives and nursing associates to deliver the best possible care for people well into the future.

The NMC has set up a new Public Advisory Group for the reviews, formed of people with lived experience of nursing and midwifery care, as well as representatives from charity and advocacy groups, to offer advice to the NMC.

The group’s first meeting last week featured rich discussion on priorities for the new Code and revalidation process, with the group exploring themes such as personalised care, safe ways of working, staff wellbeing, communication, rights, and public understanding of the NMC’s role.

Since the summer, the NMC has been hearing the voices of professionals, students, the public and others during the initial research-gathering phase of the reviews, including through an ongoing survey which now has over 13,500 responses.

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The Public Advisory Group is one of three groups supporting the NMC’s independent steering group, chaired by Professor Sharon Arkell CBE. The NMC has also set up a Breadth of Practice Group, to include a wide range of professional voices, and a Student and Recently Registered Professionals group.

Professor Sharon Arkell, chair of the independent steering group for the NMC’s reviews of the Code and revalidation, added: ‘By listening to patients and communities, we ensure the Code and revalidation reflect the values and expectations of the people who nursing and midwifery professionals care for.

‘Collaboration with the public strengthens trust and transparency, while setting standards that are relevant and inclusive.’

Meanwhile, acting director of professional practice at the NMC said: ‘Most people’s lives are touched by nursing and midwifery, so it’s vital that the public can input into something that will have such a transformative effect on care.

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‘Listening to patients, service users and the public is vital to ensuring our standards remain practical, relevant and meaningful across all care settings.’

A public consultation will also be launched by the regulator on any changes in September 2026, with a new Code and revalidation process expected in October 2027.

The NMC is also currently inviting feedback from professionals, students, employers and the public to help inform work to shape the future of its Code and revalidation process.