The NMC said the changes are necessary to ensure it maintains this register safely so that people continue to receive the high-quality care.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) temporary register was kept open for a further two years, from September 2022, following a request from the Government to do so.

Whilst it is acknowledged that nurses and midwives on the temporary register made vital contributions to the UK’s response to Covid-19, it is also acknowledged that many have not held permanent registration for some time, so will not have been subject to the NMC’s usual regulatory processes and many professionals on the temporary register are not practising.

Changes made

Professionals can stay on the temporary register and continue practising if: 

  • they left the permanent register less than three years ago (initially, those who left after 21 March 2020).  

Professionals can stay on the temporary register with conditions of practice if: 

  • they’re practising and left the permanent register more than three years ago (initially, before 21 March 2020) 
  • they were internationally educated and are progressing their application to join the permanent register. 

The NMC will remove professionals from the temporary register if: 

  • they left the permanent register more than three years ago (initially, before 21 March 2020) and have not been practising while on the temporary register 
  • they were internationally educated and are not progressing their application to join the permanent register. 

The changes will be implemented from 21 March 2023.  

Andrea Sutcliffe, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said: 

“We’re extremely grateful to all those who joined our temporary register to support health and social care services during the pandemic. We’ve carefully considered how this register can continue operating safely and fairly over the next two years. Our changes will ensure professionals keep their skills and knowledge up to date, and maintain public confidence that these nurses and midwives can provide the safe, effective and kind care people have a right to expect.  

“We’ll keep everyone on our temporary register and our partners informed over the coming weeks as we implement these changes. We’re also supporting eligible professionals to move on to our permanent register, if they wish to do so.” 

 

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