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February 2020

NMC to give louder voice to public involved in FtP cases



The Nursing and Midwifery Council is exploring the use of personal experience statements as part of its commitment to putting people ‘at the heart of its work’.

In a move that could tread new ground for a professional healthcare regulator, the NMC is considering how personal experience statements could be included in its fitness to practise (FtP) proceedings.

A new report suggests that such statements could help to secure ‘best evidence’, improve decision-making, lead to early resolution of cases, give clarity to the individual concerned, and increase openness and transparency.

The use of personal experience statements signifies a move towards appreciating ‘the value of emotional narratives when it comes to FtP proceedings. Traditionally, emotions have been seen as having no place in proceedings but this will challenge that position with a more inquisitorial process that seeks to resolve issues in a learning environment,’ wrote Jessie Cunnett, former head of public support at the NMC and now associate director at Traverse, the independent research company behind the proposal.

The NMC is also piloting another new initiative to give the public start-to-end support from the moment they raise a concern until the point the case ends.

This measure is running alongside the pilot of a new support service for professionals going through an FtP investigation.

The NMC says its approach aims to promote a culture of openness and learning, rather than punishing people for past events.

‘We want to give the professionals on our register the chance to remedy and address any concerns that have been raised with us. We will be providing new remediation guidance to help professionals understand how they can demonstrate that they are safe to practise after a complaint has been raised against them,’ the NMC says.

This might include reflection on what has gone wrong, extra training they have undertaken, or the views of their employer or other healthcare professionals on their practice since the incident.