The Nursing and Midwifery Council will review the current cost of registration in 2018/19 ‘in more detail’, amid ‘growing concern’ over the long-term trend of the size of the register.
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At a council meeting at the end of March, the NMC decided that the £120 fee will continue thanks to the ‘relatively healthy’ financial position, but with the proviso that it will be reviewed further over the forthcoming year.
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In 2017/18, the NMC derived 97% of its £85m income through standard registration fees, but dwindling nurse numbers has seen the NMC acknowledge that ‘the greatest risk [to the organisation’s finances] is a continued decline in the size of the register’.
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In council papers, they admit that they are assuming ‘a decline of income of £1.4m between the current financial year and 2018/19 for an expected further reduction in the register and overseas income’, although they do not expect the numbers on the register to fall dramatically over the next few years.
