Government calls for shake-up of NMC
- Published: 10 July 2008 15:44
- Author: Richard Staines
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- Last Updated: 10 July 2008 15:44
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PLANS to reform the governance of the NMC, giving top MPs and politicians tough powers to hold council members to account have been announced by the government.
The Department of Health is beginning a consultation on a draft constitution for the nursing regulator.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Constitution) Order 2008 calls for the council to be reformed with seven nurse and midwife members and seven lay members, who will serve for up to six years.
One council member will be appointed to be chair, with a maximum term of six years. A deputy will be elected by the rest of the council.
It gives the Privy Council, a cross-party body of politicians, power to remove members in the situation that they are deemed unfit for their positions.
This includes being found guilty of a criminal offence, being struck off the nursing register or if their conduct undermines public confidence in regulation of nursing and midwifery.
The NMC's council can also remove the chair with a vote of no confidence.
An investigation published last month by the healthcare super-regulator, the CHRE, uncovered evidence of bullying at the NMC.
Details of the consultation can be found here.
