NMC updates on fitness to practise plan

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has provided an update on its Fitness to Practise (FtP) plan, highlighting the progress and challenges encountered in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their processes. The NMC said it aims to conclude 80 percent of fitness to practise cases within 15 months of initial referral. As of December 2024, 65.5 percent of cases were closed within this timeframe, showing meaningful progress. However, the NMC acknowledges that achieving a positive difference in people’s experiences will take several more months.

Timeliness and Progress

Between December 2023 and December 2024, the average age of fitness to practise cases across various stages has continued to fall. At the initial assessment stage, also known as screening, where most of the caseload is held, 25 percent of cases were resolved within a two-month target. The number of screening decisions made in recent months has exceeded the number of new referrals, which is an encouraging sign of progress. However, the total caseload increased from 5,778 in January 2024 to 6,633 by December 2024, driven partly by high referral volumes.

Realigned FtP Plan

The NMC said it is taking a “step-by-step approach” to realign their fitness to practise plan, focusing initially on stabilizing processes and eliminating the backlog of cases at the screening stage. 

Context and Adjustments

The plan’s launch in April 2024 coincided with a period of significant change, including higher than expected volumes of referrals and an independent review of the NMC’s culture highlighting areas needing immediate action. In response, the NMC introduced a safeguarding hub to enhance the safety and experience of people involved in their processes. The realigned plan remains adaptable to the changing environment and seeks input from both internal and external sources for continuous improvement.

External Support and Expert Advice

To reinforce the plan, the NMC is finalizing external specialist support to alleviate pressure at the screening stage and recommend further improvements to regulatory processes. External advisers Anthony Omo from the General Medical Council and Professor Donna O’Boyle, a former Professional Regulatory Adviser at the Scottish Government, have provided valuable guidance. Based on Omo’s advice, the NMC is adjusting its screening assessment to adopt a more proportionate and robust approach, resetting the screening threshold to close concerns that do not require NMC involvement more quickly and promoting cases needing further consideration.

Recent Developments

The NMC said it “has made significant strides in recent months, including resolving the lowest-risk cases, with 65 percent either closed or progressed, reducing the number of cases at the screening stage.”

The number of hearings with allocated dates increased from 412 to 604, offering greater certainty for those involved. New case-weight

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