NMC fitness to practise timeliness improves as screening decisions reach record high

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has reported improvements in the timeliness of its fitness to practise (FtP) processes, alongside record levels of screening decisions. New data shows that 70.4 percent of fitness to practise cases are now being concluded within 15 months—an increase of almost 10 percentage points since July 2023.

These improvements reflect the regulator’s ongoing efforts to reduce delays and uncertainty for registrants and members of the public. In May 2025 alone, the NMC made 809 screening decisions, marking the third time this year that a monthly record has been set. Screening decisions – which determine whether cases are closed or progressed to investigation – form a critical early stage in the fitness to practise pathway.

Across the past 12 months, the NMC averaged 928 fitness to practise decisions per month—an increase from 777 in the previous year. The regulator attributes this momentum to the implementation of its Fitness to Practise Plan and Culture Transformation Plan, both of which aim to deliver better outcomes and experiences through sustained investment and organisational change.

Other key improvements include a reduction in total caseloads, from 6,633 in December 2024 to 6,186 in June 2025, and a sharp rise in the proportion of adjudication cases listed for hearing, now at 65 percent compared to the 2024 average of 40 percent.

The NMC is also driving change by embedding external expertise and learning, a commitment that followed the Independent Culture Review published in July 2024. This includes a secondment from Anthony Omo, General Counsel and Director of Fitness to Practise at the General Medical Council, whose insights led to updates in screening guidance and improvements to safeguarding advice.

In response to sustained demand—referrals now average 565 per month, up from 513—the regulator has introduced a range of new initiatives. These include updated hearing cancellation guidance that supports compassionate decision-making for professionals affected by serious health conditions, and mandatory workshops designed to foster fair, unbiased decisions across fitness to practise functions.

Lesley Maslen, Executive Director of Professional Regulation, said:

“With a clear turnaround programme underway at the NMC, I welcome the recent progress in our fitness to practise performance. More efficient, timely decisions mean people spend less time in our processes, which can understandably be a distressing and uncertain experience.

“Thanks to the dedication of our teams, we are seeing steady improvements, including another record-breaking month in screening. But we know challenges remain – that is why we are sharpening our focus on tackling the pressure points we are seeing, including high volumes of referrals and challenges at the investigations stage.

“There is more to do before every person engaging with us feels a genuine shift in experience. We remain focused on strengthening the FtP process, which is a key part of transforming the NMC into the fair, effective and trusted regulator that professionals and the public deserve.”

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