What does NMC mean in GOVERNMENTAL

What does NMC mean?

The NMC stands for the Nursing and Midwifery Council which is an executive agency of the United Kingdom Department of Health. It is responsible for setting and enforcing standards of professional training and conduct for nurses, midwives, nursing associates and certain other groups of healthcare workers who practise in Britain. The NMC issues registration certificates to all registered professionals, monitors continuing education requirements, administers disciplinary procedures against those who fail to meet its standards or accept complaints from members of the public regarding acts carried out by members of professions under its remit.

Who does NMC regulate?

The NMC regulates over 680,000 registered practitioners across four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These include: nurses (including registered nurse prescribers), midwives (including those with independent prescribing authority), specialist community public health nurses (SCPHNs), student nurses/midwives in training and NHS professionals working in partnership with qualified healthcare professionals such as social workers. The NMC also regulates a small number of healthcare support workers such as operating department practitioners (ODPs), radiographers (including diagnostic radiographers), paramedics, orthoptists and speech & language therapists. Additionally it registers students preparing to enter these professions as well as retired practitioners whose registration status has been suspended or withdrawn due to ill health or misconduct proceedings.

How do they Regulate?

The main function of the NMC is to set standards relating to education, training, conduct, performance, ethics, fitness-to-practice and other aspects related to healthcare work within its remit. This includes creating guidance documents on each profession under its remit; setting up codes of conduct; auditing compliance; investigating complaints; establishing procedures for taking disciplinary action ; developing policy related to maintaining professional qualifications ; providing information about revalidation requirements ; managing registration data including those pertaining to criminal convictions; providing advice on complaints handling processes; utilising available technologies such as electronic records systems; monitoring activities between organisations performing joint functions ; leading initiatives that drive improvement among registrants particularly in terms associated with patient safety etc.