NMC revises corporate plan to focus on areas of ‘risk’

It has set out five prioritised areas of work for the next two years, which focus on key goals such as reducing the fitness to practise (FtP) backlog and building an inclusive and open culture.

“We take our challenges very seriously, and that’s why we’ve reprioritised our work with a realistic corporate plan”

Andrea Sutcliffe

To achieve these outcomes, the Nursing and Midwifery Council said it had deferred or reduced the scope of some planned projects, to release capacity and resources.

Plans on pause include refreshing the NMC website, refurbishing the offices in London and delaying the development of a new strategy for 2025.

The five key areas of work are as follows:

Progressing fitness to practise referrals in a safe and timely way

The NMC’s top priority for 2024-26 is to significantly improve the timeliness and quality of its FtP decision making.

The regulator confirmed last month that it had signed off a record £30m investment in FtP, in an attempt to tackle the backlog and secure confidence in its processes.

The move comes as the NMC’s FtP caseload continues to rise, with a record number of referrals in February.

Building an inclusive, high-performance learning culture

The NMC said it wanted to build an open and inclusive culture that is free from discrimination and advances equality, celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion.

It comes as the regulator has commissioned a review into its internal culture, following concerns raised about racism, sexism and lack of freedom to speak up in the organisation. The independent review will be led by Nazir Afzal and Rise Associates.

Meanwhile, a separate investigation is underway which is looking at the NMC’s handling of FtP cases and treatment of whistleblowers. This work is being led by barrister Ijeoma Omambala KC.

Modernising our systems, tools, policies and processes

The regulator said it wanted to ensure better, safer regulation for the benefit of the public, through an improved register that is easier to use and understand.

The NMC has committed to updating its digital systems, to make it easier for people to connect with the organisation and for NMC colleagues to do their jobs.

Supporting professionals to deliver care in the four nations by influencing workforce planning

The NMC said it would work with its partners and the wider sector to address workforce challenges to try and improve patient care.

As part of this, it has committed to completing its review of nursing and midwifery practice learning.

This piece of work is hoping to identify whether any changes need to be made to the current clinical placement requirements, including the hours students need to complete.

The regulator announced earlier this month that Scotland’s former chief nursing officer, Alex McMahon, would lead the independent steering group for the review.

Meanwhile, the regulator also noted that it would continue its work with the Welsh Government and the Department of Health and Social Care in England, so that it can regulate nursing associates in Wales.

The aim is that the first nursing associates in Wales will begin training in aumtumn 2025.

Strengthening the integrity of the register

Lastly, the NMC has promised to improve its international registration processes and controls, to ensure that all internationally educated professionals have the right skills and experience.

It comes as hundreds of international nurses have this year had to retake parts of their test of competence, due to concerns of widespread fraud which took place at a test centre in Nigeria.

Separately, the NMC said it would look to review its education quality assurance, to make sure all nursing and midwifery programmes meet its standards and that students develop the right skills and knowledge.

The NMC’s chief executive and registrar, Andrea Sutcliffe, said: “The last 12 months have been a mixed picture for the NMC.”

Ms Sutcliffe noted that the NMC had “made strides” in its work around regulating advanced practice, as well as updating its education standards to enable a broader range of students to join our register.

Andrea Sutcliffe

She added: “But at the same time, we’re still not resolving enough fitness to practise cases swiftly, and concerns have also been raised about our culture.

“Alongside this, the UK health and social care landscape presents an increasingly complex and challenging environment,” she said.

“Workforce pressures, widespread industrial action and rising demand for health and social care are all impacting the professionals on our register, the public accessing and receiving care and the work of the NMC.

“We take our challenges very seriously, and that’s why we’ve reprioritised our work with a realistic corporate plan that supports the public, the professionals on our register who provide their care, and our colleagues to do the best job possible.”