Scotland’s outgoing CNO to lead NMC practice learning review group

Professor Alex McMahon will lead the regulator’s independent steering group for its review of nursing and midwifery practice learning.

“This is a hugely privileged opportunity and I hope I do the review justice as chair”

Alex McMahon

It comes as the NMC announced earlier this year that it would be commissioning a review into nursing and midwifery students’ practice learning requirements across the UK.

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 new steering group will guide the independent research that the NMC will undertake in this area, advise its executive board and also review any proposals before they are submitted to the regulator’s governing council for consideration.

It follows the first round of changes that were made to the NMC’s pre-registration programme standards back in January 2023.

These included doubling the number of hours nursing students can have for simulated practice learning and greater flexibility around entry requirements to get onto a nursing and midwifery programme.

At the time, the NMC committed to undertaking further work around nursing programme standards, including a review into practice learning requirements.

In recent years, there has been some support to move to reduce the minimum number of practice learning hours.

The government said in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan that it would like to explore how nurses can joint the NMC register after fewer practice hours.

Currently, nurses undertake 2,300 practice learning hours, of which 600 can be covered by simulated practice learning.

Sam Foster, NMC executive director of professional practice, said: “Our pre-registration programme standards underpin safe and effective practice learning, which is key to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high quality, evidence-based care for people when they qualify.

“Our aim is to promote inclusive learning cultures that innovate and promote professional practice,” she said.

“That’s why I’m delighted that Alex McMahon has agreed to lead our independent steering group.”

Ms Foster said that Professor McMahon’s “extensive career”, spanning over 40 years in nursing, meant that he was “absolutely the right person to lead this group”.

Professor McMahon will step down as Scotland’s CNO later this month, having served in the national role since October 2021.

The Scottish Government announced earlier this week that his deputy, Anne Armstrong, will take over the post temporarily while someone is recruited into the role permanently.

Professor McMahon said he was “delighted” to have been appointed to the role as independent chair of the steering group.

He said: “The review itself has the potential to fundamentally change the way in which we construct and deliver our undergraduate nursing and midwifery programmes in the future.

“I look forward to working with and hearing the views of as many individuals and organisations as possible, as it is incumbent on us all to ensure that we share our views and experience and that we look to evidence from across the world to shape our thoughts and recommendations.

“This is a hugely privileged opportunity and I hope I do the review justice as chair,” he added.