RCN demands investigation into latest NMC failings

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called for an independent investigation into the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after it failed to ‘consistently’ assess health and character concerns of those on its register.

It has been suggested that some professionals – such as those with a criminal record for a serious offence or with an unmanaged health condition – have potentially been kept on the register inappropriately.

More than 400 nursing and midwifery professionals are being contacted by the regulator today to provide further information for a more detailed assessment, and it is estimated that up to 15 registrants should be removed.

Following this discovery, the regulator has been  strongly condemned by unions who say the NMC has ‘undermined’ patient confidence.

RCN’s chief nursing officer Professor Lynn Woolsey said: ‘This is the latest in a catalogue of failings at the NMC and again calls into question whether it is fit for purpose as our profession’s regulator.

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‘Today’s vague apology will not suffice, and we will lead the UK’s nursing staff in asking very tough questions

‘The NMC must ensure all those practising as registered nurses are safe to do so at the point of registration and throughout their careers.

‘The immediate focus for the NMC must be to rapidly gather full information in order to fairly review the cases and determine whether the individual can continue to remain on the register without further action.’

The RCN is now calling for an independent investigation into the situation.

‘We are further calling for an independent investigation to understand how and why the failings occurred, went undetected for such a long period and to establish how the NMC’s processes should be improved, with clear recommendations and accountability for future action,’ said Professor Woolsey.

The news comes after an independent review revealed serious concerns about the regulator, including a ‘toxic culture’ of bullying, harassment and racism in 2024.

Meanwhile, the union Unison said the latest failure ‘should never have been allowed to happen’.

Unison’s head of professional services Gail Adams said: ‘It’s beggars’ belief this could have continued so long, particularly when the NMC has operated under greater scrutiny because of other mistakes.

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‘Staff who rely on this system will want to know what went wrong and why it’s only just come to light.

‘Patients, their families and registrants rely on the NMC as the gatekeeper of public trust and confidence.

‘It’s only right that it’s held to the same high standards expected of the people it registers.

‘For those affected, it will mean an uncertain and agonising wait, so decisions must now be made quickly, fairly and transparently.

‘It’s important the NMC has recognised the problem and apologised, but it must go further and ensure steps are taken to prevent another mistake occurring.’

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Alarm bells were first raised by a member of staff in February around concerns the regulator was failing to follow the full process for investigating health and character concerns declared as part of the registration and revalidation process.

A rapid review discovered that the full process to assess health and character concerns had not been ‘consistently’ followed for the last 12 years, meaning professionals with a previous criminal record or unmanaged health condition could potentially have been able to continue practicing inappropriately.

Chief executive and registrar Paul Rees issued an apology, stating the failing was ‘completely and utterly unacceptable’.