The Nursing and Midwifery Council

Kenyan High Commission delegation visits NMC A delegation from the Kenyan High Commission recently met with NMC colleagues to learn more about our role as a regulator, including gaining a deeper understanding of our international registration process and how we develop UK nursing standards. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to share insights into our policy and standards-setting procedures, particularly those affecting internationally trained applicants. The Ambassador explained that their visit aimed to learn more about our regulatory work and explore opportunities for joint initiatives. The discussion began with the Code's vital role in guiding all professionals on our register, ensuring consistent standards across roles, seniority levels, and sectors. We also explored how we support professionals and employers through initiatives like the Employer Link Service (ELS). We spoke about how ELS offers support to internationally educated nurses in several ways including the well-received ‘Welcome to the UK’ initiative. The delegation was also keen to understand the broader regulatory landscape and our approach to contextualising FtP referrals. The delegation was especially interested in how our standards could help them enhance the preparation of Kenyan nurses who wish to practise in the UK. While education and training are vital, we acknowledged that the bigger challenge is acclimatising to life and work in the UK. Ambassador Wahome commented, “No matter what you watch or read, nothing prepares you for winter in the UK!” We also recognised the injustice of experienced nurses having to start on the bottom rung when they first register and how best we can influence employers. Anne noted there are now internationally educated professionals progressing their careers in senior leadership roles. Reflecting on the meeting, Anne and Linda said: “We were very pleased to meet with members of the Kenyan government who are very interested in the healthcare system in the UK and our regulatory role as they develop support for their nurses who want to come here to work. With almost 2,500 Kenyan-trained nurses on our register, this is an important relationship for us as we develop inclusive standards and processes.” Anne Trotter, Assistant Director for Education and Standards; Linda Everet, Deputy Director for Professional Regulation; Aditi Chowdhary-Gandhi, Head of Standards; and Rick Bryan, Standards Development Specialist, welcomed the delegation - which included Catherine Wahome, Ambassador; Ms. Belinda Kiilu, Minister Counsellor; and Fidel Ong'ute, First Secretary.

Great to meet with RCN Gen Sec Nicola Ranger - and host a session on transforming The Nursing and Midwifery Council with our 120 most senior managers this week. My meeting with Nicola took place, on Monday, at the RCN head office, in central London, and we talked about our programme to transform the NMC through our newly published Culture Transformation Plan and our Fitness to Practise Plan. I said to Nicola that we must do better with our Fitness to Practise process - as far too many nursing and midwifery professionals are caught by it for way too long, which can have a substantial impact on their mental wellbeing. However, I said we are encouraged by figures that show the process is gradually starting to improve - with 67.1% of cases now being closed within 15 months, record numbers of decisions currently being made at the screening stage, and the total caseload down to 6,498. Meanwhile, yesterday, I hosted an afternoon session with our 120 most senior managers, to talk about how we are starting to transform the organisation. We invited two of the five expert coaches, we have appointed to help us turn around our culture, to address our senior managers about culture change. Sridevi Kalidindi CBE spoke passionately about the importance of managers consistently creating psychological safety for their staff teams - drawing on her experience as a psychiatrist and healthcare leader. Meanwhile, Jeanette Purcell spoke powerfully about how it is crucial, in a change programme, that all managers play a proactive part in leading the change. Our new Chair Ron Barclay-Smith also attended the session and gave an introductory address, emphasising his support for the change journey we are now on. The meeting was a high energy event and it was great to see such engagement from our senior leaders for our programme to turn around the organisation - with a widespread recognition that not changing is not an option. Anna Walker Dr. Lynne Wigens OBE Judge Donald Peter Herbert O.B.E. (Retired) Deborah Harris BEng FCA 💃🏿💃🏿 Lindsay Foyster Rhiannon Beaumont-Wood 🌎Nadine Pemberton Jn Baptiste Claire Johnston

I am delighted to have been appointed to this role, and look forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders as the NMC navigates its journey of transformation and improvement.

We are pleased to announce that Ron Barclay-Smith has been appointed as the new Chair of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), following a competitive process.     Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3w88fSi

🌙 Eid Mubarak🌙 Wishing a joyful and blessed Eid al-Fitr to all the nurses, midwives and nursing associates celebrating today. Thank you for your dedication and compassion, we hope you’re able to enjoy this special day with your loved ones. 💛 #EidMubarak #EidAlFitr2025

Earlier this week, I met with Health Minister Karin Smyth and then said goodbye to The Nursing and Midwifery Council Chair Sir David Warren. At the meeting with the Minister, on Monday, which was also attended by Sir David, we talked about the NMC culture transformation plan, which was officially published last week. We also discussed the gradual improvement of our fitness to practise process and our work to improve our relationships with stakeholders. Then, on Wednesday, at our open Council meeting, we said goodbye to Sir David, who is at the end of his almost-four year term, as appointed by the Privy Council. His final day official in post is next Monday, the day on which we plan to reveal the identity of our new Chair. The last NMC meeting, to be chaired by Sir David, was a positive one. We discussed the important multidisciplinary work being done at the NMC to ensure we are screening new referrals to our fitness to practise process, to check for safeguarding concerns. We also saw the launch of the principles for Advanced Practice, which came after an extensive four-nation consultation. Our plan is to publish standards of proficiency in Advanced Practice in 2027/28. In addition, we heard confirmation of the gradual improvements in the fitness to practise process, with 67.1% of cases now being dealt with within 15 months, according to our monthly rolling tracker - which is the highest percentage of cases completed within 15 months for over a year. Of course, there is a long way to go to reach our target of dealing with 85% of cases within 15 months and we will continue to work hard to turn things around. Finally, Sir David confirmed the publication of our culture transformation plan, which aims to turnaround the culture at the NMC, through the six pillars of: • Strong and effective leadership • Values-based decision making • Embedding EDI • Creating psychological safety • Ensuring enjoyment at work, and • Regulatory Fairness.

📢 We’re reaching out to 841,000+ professionals on our register with a survey to understand their experiences in delivering care, and their views on our work. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eke6ifhP #Nursing #Midwifery #NursingAssociates #HealthcareVoices

Want to learn more about the role of a confirmer in revalidation? Linda Kenward, Principal Regulation Advisor at NMC’s Employer Link Service, breaks down the key requirements in her blog.: https://lnkd.in/erCgxQ4Q #Confirmer #NMC #Revalidation #Nursing #Healthcare

Hear NMC Nursing education advisers and academic partners provide an overview and examples of how you can support post registration students on community nursing SPQ programmes: https://lnkd.in/e83WHqbm #CommunityNursing #SPQ #NursingEducation #StudentSupport

Hear NMC Nursing education advisers, SCPHN students and SCPHN practice learning partners provide an overview and examples of how you can support post registration students on SCPHN programmes: https://lnkd.in/exk25stf #SCPHN #NursingEducation #StudentSupport