Posted 13 December 2023 - 08:00
Posted 13 December 2023 - 08:00
News
Freedom of speech: new advice for nurses on expressing opinions
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has issued guidance for nurses on airing opinions in public and when this could compromise their fitness to practise
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has issued guidance for nurses on airing opinions in public and when this could compromise their fitness to practise
New freedom of speech guidance aims to provide clarity to nurses and other healthcare professionals when expressing their personal beliefs in public.
NMC clarifies when opinions aired in public could impair fitness to practise
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidance, Freedom of Expression and Fitness to Practise, reaffirms that everyone has the right to freedom of expression and religion but there are some circumstances where a professional’s fitness to practise (FtP) may be impaired.
It provides examples that will result in regulatory action, such as a registered nurse posting a public tweet comparing medical professionals delivering a vaccine to 'angels of death' and explaining that vaccination is 'a plan to kill off the elderly'.
However, if a professional expresses their political views and concerns for the health service publicly it is unlikely to result in regulatory action unless they act contrary to the Code.
Personal beliefs should not be expressed in an inappropriate way
NMC executive director of strategy and insight Matthew McClelland said: ‘The Code requires nurses, midwives, and nursing associates to put the people in their care first. That means treating people with kindness and respect and not expressing personal beliefs in an inappropriate way.
‘Occasionally, concerns are raised about the way in which someone on our register has expressed themselves so it’s important our decision makers in FtP are clear on the right way to reach swift and safe decisions that are rooted in law.
‘We hope this will provide clarity to nurses, midwives and nursing associates about how to express their beliefs without raising concerns about their FtP or damaging public confidence in our nursing and midwifery professions.’
What the NMC considers when concerns are raised about a nurse’s comments
- Where and to whom the comments were made
- Whether the comments have a link to practice or the person’s status as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate and, if so, what this is
- The way in which the views or beliefs were expressed
Former nurse left the register after speaking on a televised debate
The guidance comes in light of former nurse Miranda Hughes being removed from the register for making inappropriate comments on a television programme and online.
The NMC received complaints after Ms Hughes appeared on Britain on the Brink – a live debate on Channel 5 – in October 2022.
Discussing the health service during the debate, Ms Hughes told the audience: ‘I’m sorry but if you have voted Conservative, you do not deserve to be resuscitated by the NHS.’
When asked by host Jeremy Vine whether she would resuscitate people who voted Conservative, she said: ‘Of course I would.’
Ms Hughes was later referred to the NMC regarding her FtP. Ms Hughes applied for an ‘agreed removal process’.
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