RCN condemns NMC fee decision

Published: 25 October 2012

For immediate release: 25 October 2012

The Royal College of Nursing today (25 October) commented on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)’s decision to accept the Government’s offer of a £20m grant to assist them with their financial difficulties. The RCN also condemned the NMC’s decision to continue with raising its fees paid by ordinary nurses. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“Nurses across the UK have repeatedly objected to the proposed hike in NMC fees, at a time when many are struggling financially. We are staggered that with an increase of over 30 per cent, the NMC is still asking for frontline nurses to pay the penalty for a problem which is not of their making. We are also staggered that nurses are still being asked to pay for the failures of their regulator, with no real assurance that the fundamental problems will be solved.

“We still need to see the outcome of a full financial audit, and the profession needs to have confidence that the lessons are learnt from this fiasco and that there will be ongoing, high-level scrutiny of the organisation. Without this, nurses and the government could end up throwing good money after bad.

“The RCN welcomed the Department of Health’s offer, which our members have called for repeatedly. Now more than ever, they will want to be reassured about the long term future of their professional regulation. A strong and effective nursing regulator is vital for the public, patients and the future of the nursing profession.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nursing staff and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.