MPs have today voted in favour of bringing in a new bill that would protect the job title ‘nurse’ in legislation.
The Nurse (Use of Title) Bill was introduced to Parliament by Labour MP Dawn Butler under the House of Commons’ 10-minute rule and MPs agreed to take the proposed legislation to a second reading. This means the bill will be debated in more detail on Friday 28 March.
It aims to ensure only those registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) can legally use the title of ‘nurse’. Currently it is the title ‘registered nurse’ that is protected.
Speaking in Parliament today, Ms Butler said the bill represented a ‘simple, common sense and long overdue change’.
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‘I think it’s about time that we show the nursing community just how much we value and appreciate their qualifications, because we know how important nurses are in society,’ she said.
‘We clapped for them during Covid. They were on the front line. They saved many people’s lives.
‘So, I think this change, Madam Deputy Speaker, is well overdue.’
This is the second time Ms Butler has tried to introduce legislation around this issue, following an attempt to secure an amendment of the Health and Care Bill in 2021.
At the time, the amendment was dismissed by then health minister Edward Argar who accepted the need for ‘reassurance and clarity’ by protecting the nurse title, but refused to accept what he said was a ‘flawed’ amendment.
The bill will be prepared and brought to the second reading by Ms Butler and fellow Labour MPs Paulette Hamilton, Tulip Siddiq, Sharon Hodgson, Barry Gardner and Clive Lewis.
Paulette Hamilton told Nursing in Practice that the Bill’s passing was ‘fantastic news.’
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‘In no other profession can someone use a title without the necessary qualifications. If nurses are ever to receive the recognition and status they deserve, we must put an end to the idea that anyone can call themselves a nurse,’ she said.
It would recognise existing and protected titles like ‘veterinary nurse’ and ‘dental nurse,’ which would not be affected by any changes to legislation.
The proposed bill builds on, and is backed by, the #ProtectNurse campaign led by Professor Alison Leary and Paul Trevatt, and hopes to prevent the ‘misuse’ of the nurse title across healthcare.
Alison Leary told Nursing in Practice: ‘We are delighted that the bill has passed this initial stage and we look forward to supporting Dawn Butler MP going forward.
‘This is not only a step forward for public protection but its also a signal that nursing really is valued by the public.’
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Last week, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said patients ‘deserve to know’ if they are being treated by a registered nurse.
The RCN passed a resolution in favour of protecting the title at its annual Congress in 2022.
