RCN: proposed raise in NMC fees is ‘deeply unfair’

Published: 21 May 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has described the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) proposal to increase registration fees by nearly 60 per cent as “deeply unfair”.

The NMC says the proposed fee increase, from £76 to £120, is needed to handle the rising number of fitness to practise referrals against nurses and midwives and cover the increasing costs of regulation.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said this was a “staggering proposal” at a time when nurses are under huge financial pressure. “It is deeply unfair that the NMC would propose a near 60 percent hike in fees when nurses are in the middle of a two year pay freeze and facing increased pensions contributions. We know that the NMC is facing financial challenges, but nurses should not be picking up the tab,” said Dr Carter.

The RCN says the consultation raises a fundamental issue about funding of the NMC. Dr Carter acknowledged the increasing costs of fitness to practise, but highlighted that the NMC is due to make a significant financial contribution of £0.8m per annum to the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE), which oversees all health regulators.

“Given that the CHRE promotes partnership working between the professions, patients and the public, we would question whether it is now time for the Government, rather than financially stretched nurses, to contribute to the costs of regulation,” added Dr Carter.

The RCN is seeking an urgent meeting with the NMC and RCN Council will then consider next steps.