It has been reported that proposals are being put forward which would mean that nurses and midwives in the UK would be set to face three-yearly checks starting from the end of 2015.
The proposals have been set out in a board paper which has been drawn up by the leadership team of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The new system would see patients, colleagues and employers give feedback on performance and those not up to standard would face being barred from working.
The proposals have been under discussion for many years, but the NMC have struggled to move forward with the changes. However, following the criticisms over standards of care in the months following the Stafford Hospital scandal, the NMC has committed itself to pushing ahead and the proposals are now due to be discussed at a meeting of the governing body of the NMC this week.
The system will be known as ‘revalidation’, and it is hoped that it will promote greater professionalism and improve the quality of care. At the current time, it is up to nurses to declare themselves fit to practise.
Three options are to be put to the governing body, but the favoured one is for three-yearly checks involving employer, colleague and patient feedback. A similar system was put in place for doctors last year. It is thought that the checks for nurses and midwives will form part of the appraisal process however, it is likely that as the new system takes shape dedicated roles may need to be created to oversee the process.
Jackie Smith, Chief Executive of the NMC, was reported as saying:
“Ensuring that the skills and conduct of nurses and midwives remain up to date throughout their careers is an important area of regulation. Any effective system of revalidation will increase public confidence that nurses and midwives remain capable of safe and effective practice.”
The Royal College of Nursing Union has welcomed the proposals but warned that it will require proper funding and close working between employers and the regulator for it to work well.
It seems that the proposed revalidation scheme will be important for patient confidence. For patients to know that every nurse is subject to regular checks to ensure their fitness for practice and competence in their role will hopefully heighten confidence following the considerable negative coverage that has been seen since the Stafford Hospital scandal.
It remains to be seen exactly how the scheme will work, but it is positive that the NMC is committed to make the changes necessary to improve not only public confidence, but also patient safety.
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