PSA reports NMC performance concerns to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has published its annual performance review of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. The PSA carried out a full periodic review—earlier than usual—because of concerns raised in the 2024 Independent Culture Review and the NMC’s performance in the previous year, when it met only 11 of 18 Standards of Good Regulation.

For 2024/25, the NMC met nine of the 18 Standards. The PSA acknowledged that the NMC faced a challenging year and recognised steps taken to understand and address organisational issues, including appointing a new Chief Executive, Registrar and Chair. However, the PSA reported that it had not yet seen evidence of sustained improvement and highlighted several areas where progress remained limited.

The review found that the NMC did not meet Standards relating to clarity of purpose, equality, diversity and inclusion impact, transparency of reporting, education quality assurance, accuracy and proportionality in registration processes, and several aspects of fitness to practise. While the NMC improved timeliness at the screening stage of fitness to practise, delays persisted at investigation and adjudication stages, and communication with parties remained a concern.

The PSA has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Chairs of the Health and Social Care Committees across the UK to outline its concerns and recommendations. It will continue to monitor the NMC closely, with the next review—covering 2026—already underway and due for publication in March 2027.

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