NMC Annual Report and Accounts 2013 - 14

our guidance "Raising Concerns: Guidance for nurses and midwives". We were
pleased that Helene Donnelly, a nurse who raised concerns at Mid-Staffordshire
NHS Foundation Trust, helped us relaunch the guidance. The YouTube video of
her presentation had been viewed over 3,800 times and the webpage received
more than 23,000 views by 31 March 2014.
22 We initiated a wider debate about professionalism and regulation hosting a
roundtable discussion with a range of stakeholders in March 2014. Stephen
Dorrell, then Chair of the Health Committee gave a key note speech that informed
a discussion about professionalism and the role of the regulator in upholding
professional standards. Attendees included nursing and midwifery leaders,
students and educators, alongside those with a policy and academic interest. The
discussion identified the need for the Code and the NMC to have a higher profile
amongst registrants and students. The themes and conclusions are informing both
the revision of the Code (see below) and the Council’s five-year strategy.
The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and
midwives
23 The Code sets the fundamental standards all registered nurses and midwives
must meet. It requires nurses and midwives to make the care of patients their
primary concern, treat them as individuals and respect their dignity. In June 2013,
we began work to revise the Code to prepare for revalidation (see below). We are
also taking into account the recommendations made by the Francis report and
other major independent reviews, including the Berwick report into patient safety,
A promise to learn - a commitment to act (2013). We are engaging widely with the
public and stakeholders to seek views on the changes we should make. During
2014, we will consult on a revised draft of the Code, with a view to agreeing the
final content by the end of the year.
Revalidation
24 At present, nurses and midwives must renew their registration every three years.
Building on this process and using existing legislation, we intend to introduce a
system of revalidation to provide the public with a greater level of assurance that
nurses and midwives on our register continue to meet our standards. We aim to
introduce this by December 2015.
25 In September 2013, the Council approved for consultation purposes a proposed
model for the first phase of revalidation based on the existing three-year renewal
cycle. The model proposes a requirement for nurses and midwives to obtain
confirmation from a third party on their continuing fitness to practise as well as
show how they are using feedback from patients, colleagues and others to
improve their standards of care.
26 Expert advice and input to our work is provided by our Revalidation Strategic
Advisory Group made up of a wide range of stakeholders including representatives
from the four countries, professional bodies and unions, professional and system
regulators, employers, educators and senior practitioners. The Group's role is also
to provide assurance that the outcomes and benefits of the revalidation
programme are focused on public protection.
10