NMC upgrades fitness to practise tech to ensure ‘more reliable’ service  

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced plans to upgrade the technology used in its fitness to practise (FtP) hearings in a bid to minimise delays caused by technical issues and ensure a ‘more reliable’ service.

The regulator said new audio recording, camera and microphone technology will be introduced at its hearing centres in London and Edinburgh.

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Executive director of professional regulation at the NMC, Lesley Maslen, said that technology improvements would help improve the experience of those involved in FtP hybrid hearings and would ‘translate into more timely resolution of cases’.

It is also hoped the move will create a ‘more seamless experience’ during hybrid hearings and ensure a ‘more reliable service for everyone involved’, the NMC noted.

A new training and engagement plan has also been introduced to support the nursing regulator’s hearings team and promote ‘a positive working culture with improved collaboration’.

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And a new induction programme has also helped speed up the training pathway for hearings coordinators, the NMC said.

The regulator suggested these changes were helping the NMC to ‘run hearings more effectively – improving the experience for registrants and other case parties’.

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Ms Maslen added: ‘By enhancing our technology and investing in our people, we’re ensuring that hearings are a better experience for everyone involved – which will also translate into more timely resolution of cases.’

The move follows concerns raised last year about the NMC’s transcription process used for virtual FtP hearings, including instances of written errors and typos.