COVID-19: NMC consults on using its extended powers in future

Have your say on whether council processes amended during the pandemic should continue

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched a consultation on its future use of powers that were granted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The powers, given to the NMC by the Department of Health and Social Care and approved by the council on 25 March, increased the flexibility of the NMC’s fitness to practise, registration and revalidation processes.

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NMC director of professional regulation Emma Broadbent said: ‘At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we had to rapidly adapt to ensure our core regulatory work could continue.

‘During this initial period, we were unable to undertake a full consultation with our stakeholders and the public.

‘But the impacts of COVID-19 will be long term, and there are some new ways of working we’ll want to keep in place.

‘So we want to consult on how our new powers are used in the future, listening to the public, professionals, and the wider health and care sector.

‘We remain committed to using these new powers in a proportionate way that supports our registrants and keeps people safe. We encourage everyone who wants to have their say to respond.’

Topics under consultation include virtual meetings and revalidation extensions

The consultation runs until 15 January 2021 and focuses on:

• The use of virtual meetings and hearings
• Public access to hearings
• The number of people on a hearing panel
• The use of email to communicate notices of a hearing
• The use of extensions for revalidation and fee payment

The consultation is available in English and Welsh, and there is also an easy read version.

Contributors can submit their response using an online survey or by emailing consultations@nmc-uk.org

Have your say on the NMC's new powers

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