The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched a public helpline to assist members of the public thinking about making a fitness to practise complaint.

Writing on its website, the NMC said the new helpline is the first step for members of the public thinking about making a referral.

NMC “expert call handlers” will guide people on making the right referrals and including all the information it will need to make a decision “quickly and safely”.

The nursing regulator said it hoped this will mean it gets the information needed to be able to act, by making quicker decisions.

It said the helpline “is the latest in a series of improvements” to its fitness to practise process.

Lesley Maslen, NMC Executive Director of Professional Regulation, said:

“Anyone thinking about raising a concern with us will have been going through a difficult time, and perhaps still are. Our new referrals helpline is an important first step for anyone in this situation.

“Our dedicated call handlers will listen to people, and can help explain more about who we are, how we can help and most importantly, what support we can offer. Then, if someone is ready to make a referral, we can guide them to give us everything we need to make the right decision as quickly and safely as possible.”

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