Regulator warned nurses would be ‘hit hard’ by proposed fee rise

The nursing regulator has come under fire from the profession after it announced its plans to consult on a registration fee increase.

Nursing in Practice readers have described the move as ‘disgusting’ and ‘abysmal’, while the union Unison warned of the ‘extra financial burden’ that could be placed on the workforce.

It was revealed exclusively by Nursing in Practice this week that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is proposing to increase its registration fee after a 10-year freeze.

The NMC’s governing council will be asked to approve proposals to launch a public consultation on increasing the fee for registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates in a council meeting next week.

If approved by the governing council, the proposed rise to the fee will be set out in autumn.

While there is currently no information on much much the proposed increase will be, the NMC has said action has been taken to ensure the fee consulted on will be ‘kept as low as possible’.

The regulator has said that by not keeping fees in line with inflation over the last 10 years, it has faced ‘about £180m in lost income up to the end of the current financial year’.

NMC chief executive Paul Rees said a rise to the fee would be used to support ‘ongoing transformation of the NMC’, including its work to improve fitness to practise and education and standards, and fix its culture to ensure it is an ‘anti-racist organisation’.

But the union Unison warned nurses would be ‘hit hard’ by an increase.

Unison head of health Helga Pile said: ‘Forcing nurses and midwives to pay higher fees simply to do their jobs when inflation and food prices squeeze their earnings is unfair.

‘Any increase will place an extra financial burden on an already undervalued and underpaid nursing workforce.’

She pointed to news that the NMC is also planning to cut almost 150 jobs at the regulator as part of further cost-saving measures.

‘Those on the register will understandably question their confidence in the regulator,’ added Ms Pile.

Many nurses have taken to social media to express their concern and disappointment over the fee proposals.

One Nursing in Practice reader commented on Facebook: ‘No incentives to stay in the profession more. They are making it so difficult for nurses. Low pay and now increased fees! Disgusting. No wonder so many are or thinking about leaving.’

Another demanded ‘full transparency’ from the NMC on ‘where and how our registrant fees are spent’. ‘This proposal is abysmal,’ they added.

Another questioned: ‘Absolutely disgusting if they decide to increase it. Surely the NMC should be encouraging staff to stay on the register and be trying to entice people to come into the nursing career – not put them off with silly annual fees.’

Nurses can pay their fee – which is currently £120 – annually or quarterly.

NMC chief executive and registrar Paul Rees said: ‘We know that the cost-of-living and high inflation are very real challenges for many people across the UK, especially the hard-working professionals on our register.

‘We have held our registration fee flat for the last decade in order to help those facing increasing costs, but it is no longer sustainable for us to maintain the registration fee freeze, especially as there is a risk our reserves could now reach unsafe levels.’

He said measures had been taken to ensure that the fee increase consulted on would be ‘kept as low as possible’, including through proposing the removal of 145 staff roles and other non-staff cost cuts.

‘If there is an increase in the registration fee, we will use the increased funding to pay for the ongoing transformation of the NMC – as we gradually improve timeliness in fitness to practise; work to improve education and standards; fix our culture and embed equity, diversity and inclusion, including becoming an anti-racist organisation.’

Regulator warned nurses would be ‘hit hard’ by proposed fee rise

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