On 22 May, I had the profound honour of attending the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) open meeting in London. This event was far from a mere procedural gathering; it was a seminal moment filled with transformative discussions, poignant farewells and visionary proclamations that promise to reshape the landscape of nursing and midwifery.
Upon entering the council chamber, I was graciously welcomed by Andrea Sutcliffe, the then chief executive and registrar of the NMC. Her affable and inspiring presence imbued the assembly with a sense of purpose and anticipation. Sir David Warren, the chair of the council, commenced proceedings, underscoring the gravity of the day’s agenda and extending a warm welcome to guests, including representatives from the Welsh Government and the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). The air was thick with expectation as we poised ourselves for a day of critical deliberations.
The meeting’s most momentous juncture was undoubtedly Andrea Sutcliffe’s unforeseen resignation announcement. After a tenure marked by visionary leadership, Andrea revealed her decision to step down, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of guiding the NMC through turbulent and triumphant times. Her announcement reverberated through the chamber, eliciting a mélange of shock, admiration and resolve. Andrea’s departure was more than a change in leadership, but a clarion call for renewal and progression, challenging the NMC to uphold and expand upon her legacy of integrity, compassion and public service.
The meeting delved deeply into the NMC’s cultural review, spearheaded by Nazir Afzal and Rise Associates. This initiative represents a bold endeavour to introspectively examine and reform the NMC’s organisational ethos, fostering a milieu of inclusivity, support, and dynamism. The cultural review is not merely an internal audit; it is aimed at transforming the NMC into a paragon of progressive values and professional excellence. Andrea Sutcliffe emphasised that the findings of this review would serve as a cornerstone for future reforms and innovations.
Another critical segment of the meeting focused on the fitness-to-practise (FtP) casework. The executive director of professional regulation provided a comprehensive update, outlining strategic plans to enhance the efficiency and fairness of these processes. This discussion highlighted the NMC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public safety and maintaining exemplary standards in nursing and midwifery. The proposed enhancements are set to revolutionise FtP procedures, ensuring they are more transparent, equitable and responsive to the needs of the profession and the public.
In a testament to the NMC’s dedication to transparency and public engagement, the meeting featured an interactive session allowing observers to pose questions. This segment fostered a range of perspectives, facilitating a robust dialogue that addressed diverse concerns and ideas. It was a potent demonstration of the NMC’s openness to feedback and its commitment to participatory governance.
The meeting drew to a close with heartfelt tributes to Derek Pretty and Ruth Walker, whose terms as council members were concluding. Both individuals were extolled for their substantial contributions and unwavering dedication. The chair and Andrea Sutcliffe delivered poignant accolades, underscoring the significant impact Derek and Ruth had on the NMC’s mission and their enduring legacy of excellence.
Attending the NMC open meeting was not merely an informative experience; it was a transformative journey that illuminated the intricate dynamics of leadership and collective action. Andrea Sutcliffe’s resignation, while marking the end of an era, also heralds a new dawn replete with opportunities for growth and innovation. The cultural reviews and FtP casework reforms discussed are poised to effectuate changes.
The question remains: is the NMC a friend or foe to nurses and midwives? The answer lies in its commitment to continuous improvement and its responsiveness to the needs and voices of the profession. This meeting has shown that with the right leadership and a resolute dedication to reform, the NMC can indeed be a steadfast ally in advancing the nursing and midwifery professions.
Insights from Andrea Sutcliffe
To further enrich our understanding of the NMC’s initiatives and vision, I had the privilege of interviewing Andrea Sutcliffe, the outgoing CEO of the NMC.
What initiatives is the NMC currently undertaking to enhance the professional development and support opportunities for student nurses in the UK?
Andrea Sutcliffe: “Two things to form better connection with students: the student newsletter helping the students see different things that’s going on, and the latest we published regarding the code and how it has affected student nurses. It is all about much better communication and direct support. We are also reviewing practice learning standards specifically looking at the quality of education and how it is helping students and the balance between the theory and placement hours. If there are any changes to be made, we are also reviewing what is happening in the rest of the world, learning from their experiences, and making necessary adjustments.”
Can you elaborate on the NMC’s strategies to integrate overseas nurses into the UK healthcare system effectively and ensure their skills and qualifications are fully utilised?
Andrea Sutcliffe: “Firstly, understanding our role as a regulator, which is different from that of an employer. Our role as a regulator is to ensure that people with the right skills and English language proficiency meet our standards and are able to register. This includes the international registration process and the ‘Welcome to the UK’ course, which employers link to services. It’s about sharing information with international applicants so they understand what the NMC is about and what support we can provide. In terms of workplace integration, this is the employer’s responsibility, but we can highlight issues for employers to address. When we conducted our first spotlight poll on nursing and midwifery last year, we focused on the experiences of internationally educated nurses and midwives, highlighting the importance of employer support, training, and development opportunities for new colleagues.”
What are the main challenges faced by international nursing students and overseas nurses in obtaining NMC registration, and how is the NMC addressing these challenges to streamline the process?
Andrea Sutcliffe: “We have streamlined the process significantly in recent years. It used to take much longer, but now everything is more automated and computerised. We have increased the number of OSCE centres, providing more opportunities for people to take the test. We have also improved the information available and introduced a new way for people to demonstrate their English language proficiency with support from their employers. We are always keen to find ways to improve and simplify the process.”
How is the NMC promoting cultural competency and inclusivity within the nursing workforce, especially in relation to overseas nurses and international students?
Andrea Sutcliffe: “We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation, promoting equality and inclusion, and tackling discrimination. We worked with NHS England to develop an anti-racist resource linked to key aspects of the code of conduct. Being anti-racist aligns with following the code, and we are clear about our expectations.”
As the CEO of the NMC, how do you perceive conventional perceptions impacting the organisation’s ability to support and regulate the nursing profession effectively? In what ways do you envision leading initiatives to reshape these perceptions, fostering greater trust, collaboration, and transparency within the nursing community?
Andrea Sutcliffe: “We don’t achieve safe, kind, and effective care if the 808,488 people on our register are scared of the regulator. We set standards to protect the public but also want to support the workforce positively. We aim to influence working environments positively and want people to see the NMC as a supportive organisation throughout their careers, not just as a body waiting to penalise them. We rarely take people off the register, which is a small percentage, but it features largely in people’s minds. Our goal is to guide and support them.”
Disclosure
I extend my gratitude to the Department of Nursing at Swansea University for funding my travel expenses to this pivotal event. Their support enabled me to witness first-hand the dynamic changes and inspiring leadership shaping the future of nursing and midwifery.
Also, thanking Mr Chris Jo Zijo Padikkal for being a contributor for the formulation of the questions to the CEO of the NMC.
This experience has profoundly inspired me to remain engaged with the ongoing developments at the NMC and to actively contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. The insights and resolutions from this meeting will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of nursing and midwifery, ensuring these professions continue to thrive and uphold their noble mission of caring for humanity.
Devansh Chiralayath Njalil Baburaj is a first-year adult nursing student at Swansea University and 2023-24 Nursing Times student editor
_12.png)
