Proposals are being put forward for nurses and midwives in the UK to be given checks every three years from the end of 2015.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (also known as the NMC) says it wants to see patients, employers and colleagues give feedback on performance and have those with a poor performance record banned from working.
The NMC envisages that the checks will form part of an employee’s appraisal process, so will give the nurses and midwives themselves a chance to raise issues that are causing them concern and promote the importance of communication within hospital units. A similar system was introduced last year for doctors.
The current system for nurses and midwives means it is up to the individual to declare themselves fit to practice, which is known as renewal.
These new proposals – known as revalidation – have been under discussion for a number of years but the NMC has struggled to push ahead with the change.
The council has met with a backlog of disciplinary cases in recent years and following major concerns in the wake of the Stafford hospital scandal, has committed itself to drawing up firm proposals. These are set out in a board paper submitted by the NMC’s leadership team, which states that the proposals will “improve the quality of care”.
It is expected that the recommendation will be agreed next week at a meeting with the regulator’s governing body and, if so, the NMC will then launch a consultation at the beginning of next year.
Chief executive of the NMC, Jackie Smith, said: “Ensuring that the skills and conduct of nurses and midwives remain up to date throughout their careers is an important area of regulation.
“Any effective system of revalidation will increase public confidence that nurses and midwives remain capable of safe and effective practice.”