NMC provides further updates on fitness to practise consultation

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has provided further updates on its consultation into fitness to practise rule changes, outlining how new legislation will modernise regulation and strengthen public protection. The consultation, launched earlier this autumn, proposes amendments to the Fitness to Practise Rules 2004 and the Practice Committees (Constitution) Rules 2008. These changes are intended to streamline case handling, improve fairness, and ensure the regulator can respond more effectively to the growing volume and complexity of referrals.

Among the key reforms under consideration are the introduction of legally qualified chairs to replace separate legal assessors in some hearings, stronger case management powers to enforce directions, and greater flexibility in how registrants are invited to make representations. The consultation also explores shorter notice periods for hearings in specific circumstances, enhanced support for vulnerable witnesses, and the use of secure digital communication with registrants. Together, these measures are designed to make the fitness to practise process more efficient, compassionate, and transparent.

In its latest update, the NMC emphasised that new legislation will underpin these reforms, helping the organisation deliver more effectively for both registrants and the public. The regulator reported progress in improving timeliness, with over 70% of cases now resolved within 15 months compared to 60% in 2023. It also highlighted efforts to embed fairness and inclusion, including better support for professionals with health conditions, and to strengthen safeguarding while ensuring proportionate investigations. However, the NMC acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly as referrals have risen by 15% in the past year.

The consultation forms part of the NMC’s wider strategic priorities for 2025–2027, which include tackling disparities in fitness to practise outcomes and embedding inclusive practices across regulation. With stakeholder engagement ongoing, final Council approval is expected in spring 2026, and amended rules could come into force by October of that year. The NMC has urged registrants, employers, and members of the public to contribute to the consultation, stressing that their input will be vital in shaping a modernised system that balances public protection with fairness and support for professionals.

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