Important recent decisions have included the new fitness to practise strategy and education standards for registered nurses

The number of nurses leaving the register is a worrying trend for our health and care workforce. We must make plans to improve retention, says Janet Finch

With changes to legislation, an overhaul of education standards and the decision to regulate the nursing associate role, 2017 was a busy year for the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Its chair, Dame Janet Finch, looks forward to the year ahead.

A new advisory forum will help the Nursing and Midwifery Council stay informed of regional and national issues and enhance engagement with registrants and stakeholders, says NMC chair Dame Janet Finch.

The response to the Nursing and Midwifery Council consultation on new education standards has been overwhelmingly positive, generating lively debate and useful questions and comment, says NMC chair Dame Janet Finch.

​Since the Nursing and Midwifery Council introduced revalidation in April 2016 more than 200,000 nurses and midwives have successfully revalidated, with many seeing it as an opportunity for ongoing development, says NMC chair Dame Janet Finch.

With the support of government ministers, the NMC can reform its legal framework to better reflect the regulator's range of responsibilities, says Janet Finch.

'It is essential that nurses are educated to degree level'

Two months after I took up my post as chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in January 2015, one of the organisation’s most significant achievements was realised when we introduced a revised Code.

Last year was exceptional for the NMC and there are more exciting times to follow, says Janet Finch. 

Regular contributors to Nursing Standard suggest some novels you might enjoy over the holiday period

I have spent many years working in higher education, and I know what an exciting time it is as another academic year begins.