NMC Independent Culture Review - Statement from the Care Provider Alliance
9 July 2024
The Care Provider Alliance is deeply troubled by the findings of the independent culture review of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The investigation reveals serious issues in parts of the NMC. Whilst some NMC employees report working in a healthy, supportive environment, others feel trapped in a dangerously toxic culture. There are allegations of discrimination and significant failures in safeguarding and fitness to practise processes. These problems strike at the heart of the NMC's ability to regulate and support nursing professionals.
About 33,000 registered nurses work in social care settings. Our sector relies on nurses to provide high-quality clinical care to those with healthcare needs, particularly in care homes but also in community settings. It is therefore crucial we have effective and trustworthy regulators to maintain standards, ensure public safety, drive improvement and, where necessary, enforce regulatory and legal compliance. None of the regulators are inspiring confidence at present.
Of particular concern are the substantial backlogs in fitness to practise cases and the potential risks to public safety highlighted in the report. The care sector cannot afford delays or oversights in addressing concerns about nursing practice, as this risks the safety and wellbeing of those we care for.
Chair of the Care Provider Alliance, Dr Jane Townson OBE said:
“On behalf of the Care Provider Alliance, I urge the NMC to treat this report with the utmost seriousness and to implement its recommendations as a matter of urgency. The regulator must take swift and decisive action to address these deep-rooted issues and rebuild trust with both the nursing profession and the public.
Our shared goal must be to ensure that all nurses, including those in social care, are supported by a regulator that upholds the highest standards of professionalism and public protection. Those drawing on care and support deserve nothing less.“
The Care Provider Alliance calls for the NMC to provide clear updates on their progress in implementing these reforms. We stand ready to support the NMC throughout this process of change.
Notes to Editors§
About the Care Provider Alliance (CPA)
The Care Provider Alliance is a coalition of 10 associations. We advocate for the sector and ensure a coordinated response to the major issues that affect it.
We represent private, voluntary and community sector care providers in England. Some members also represent services in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. The Care Provider Alliance speaks for the whole of the adult social care sector, including care homes; home care services; housing with care; integrated retirement communities; shared lives schemes; services for people with learning disabilities and autism; mental health and community-based support. Members support children, adults of working age and older people. Local authorities, health bodies or private individuals purchase care from providers.
We reach over 95% of all care and support provider organisations, in a sector with 1.6 million employees helping people to live good-quality, independent lives. The scale of our sector’s work is vast, affecting the lives of over 10 million adults at any given time, including people using formal and informal care, care workers, and unpaid carers.
The Care Provider Alliance is an informal body. Members take it in turns to lead the CPA and the Chair changes each year.
For more information on the Care Provider Alliance visit:
https://careprovideralliance.org.uk/about-us
Contact
E-mail: media@homecareassociation.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8661 8160
Mobile: 07393012113