NMC gets ready to restart face-to-face fitness to practise hearings
Posted 03 September 2020 - 10:44
Regulator had curtailed FtP meetings during lockdown
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is establishing safety guidelines for the resumption of face-to-face fitness to practise (FtP) hearings.
The regulator halted all hearings, except the most serious which were held virtually during lockdown.
In-person hearings will resume on 14 September.
Combination of physical and virtual hearings
The NMC said decisions on whether to hold hearings face-to-face, virtually or in mixed format will be made on a case by case basis.
NMC director of professional regulation, Emma Broadbent, said the priority is to keep everyone safe.
She added: Im thankful to colleagues, who have
Regulator had curtailed FtP meetings during lockdown
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is establishing safety guidelines for the resumption of face-to-face fitness to practise (FtP) hearings.
The regulator halted all hearings, except the most serious – which were held virtually – during lockdown.
In-person hearings will resume on 14 September.
Combination of physical and virtual hearings
The NMC said decisions on whether to hold hearings face-to-face, virtually or in mixed format will be made on a case by case basis.
NMC director of professional regulation, Emma Broadbent, said the priority is to keep everyone safe.
She added: ‘I’m thankful to colleagues, who have worked so hard to develop robust safety measures in line with government guidelines, which will allow us to resume those cases that need a physical hearing.’
The regulator will take into account several factors when deciding how to manage meetings, including whether the referred registrant has confidence in the safety measures.
It will also look at whether everyone involved is capable of taking part virtually.
Coronavirus hygiene regime
If a physical hearing is held in London or Edinburgh, the NMC said it will:
- Stagger start times, controlled lift access and a one-way system.
- Provide hand sanitisers throughout the hearings’ centres.
- Install partitions in the reception and hearing rooms.
- Ensure fresh air flow through the air conditioning system.
- Enhance cleaning arrangements.
- Ensure the meetings are short and do not require many participants.
A maximum of three hearings will be held in London and one in Edinburgh on any given day.
Related material
NMC: Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020
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