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NMC Fitness to Practise Referrals
NMC Fitness to Practise Referrals
- What to do if you have been referred to the NMC
- Advice on the NMC investigatory process
- Consensual Panel Determinations
- Interim Orders Hearings
- Advice, assistance and representation for hearings before the Conduct and Competence Committee
- Advice, assistance and representation for hearings before the Health Committee
- Appeals against the decisions of the NMC
The progressive rise in NMC Fitness to Practise referrals has raised anxiety over the increasing number of nurses and midwives appearing before conduct and fitness to practise hearings without proper legal representation. While certain individual nurses may be adept at representing themselves at hearings there are many others find it very difficult to present the best defence in a hostile environment. Typically nurses and midwives are unaware of what the the rules and procedures are and face the NMC without the right guidance to help them.
If you are in the position of facing NMC Fitness to Practise referrals, you owe it to your career to give yourself the best chance of a positive outcome. Don’t face a room full of lawyers alone, get qualified nursing legal help.
Typically nurses and midwives are unaware of what the the rules and procedures are and face the NMC without the right guidance to help them."
What is ‘Fitness to Practise’?
The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) defines ‘Fitness-to-Practise’ as follows
‘Being fit to practise requires a nurse or midwife to have the skills, knowledge, good health and good character to do their job safely and effectively.
All qualified nurses and midwives must follow The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and midwives.
We will investigate if an allegation is made that a nurse or midwife does not meet our standards for skills, education and behaviour. If necessary, we will act by removing them from the register permanently or for a set period of time.’
Following NMC Fitness to Practise Referrals, the investigation process is triggered. This takes place after the NMC receive investigate various allegations including misconduct, lack of competence, not having the necessary knowledge of English, criminal behaviour and serious ill health.
‘It is our role as regulator to make sure the nurse or midwife’s fitness to practise is meeting our standards. It is not the duty of patients or the public to decide whether a nurse or midwife is fit to practise. However, they can raise their concerns if they feel the safety of patients or the public are at risk.’
NMC Defence Barristers are here to help
Nurses and midwives facing NMC fitness to practise allegations often feel isolated and extremely anxious. If you are a nurse or midwife facing issues with registration, have had a complaint made against you, are facing allegations about your ability to practise or have been referred to NMC for investigation? Then we can help. We provide legal services for nurses and our nursing defence lawyers have considerable experience before a variety of tribunals and have represented numerous nurses and midwives working in a wide variety of clinical settings.
NMC Defence Barristers have represented nurses and midwives of all grades and with all manner of experience and skills.
Contact us as early as possible to receive professional assistance.
Are you a UK Nurse or Midwife with a legal issue?
Call our NMC Defence Barristers today 020 7060 1776