The findings of the independent review into the culture at the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) make for sobering reading. Describing the NMC as ‘toxic’ and ‘dysfunctional’, the review’s authors also underlined significant problems with how the regulator completes its fitness to practice investigations.
With a backlog of 6,000 cases under investigation, the review found that some nurses were forced to wait four or five years for their investigation to be completed despite many being “baseless complaints where no further action is required”. Staff at the NMC also told the review’s authors that the regulatory system was “not sufficiently attuned to differentiate between serious and minor issues”.
The assessment of this review will come as little surprise to many of our clients, who have, in many cases, had to endure overly lengthy, drawn-out investigations which can have a significant detrimental impact on both them and their families.
It is clear that something must change within the NMC to restore confidence in its ability to function effectively as a regulator for the profession.
If you have been referred to the Nursing & Midwifery Council it is vital that you seek specialist legal advice in order to protect your interests and safeguard your practise. For immediate advice from one of our specialist NMC lawyers call 0161 696 6250.
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