The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published its first fitness to practise (FtP) insight report, revealing that the number of concerns raised jumped by 14% during 2023-24.
This represents a return to pre-pandemic levels, with the number of FtP concerns having dropped steadily since 2020.
The number of concerns raised during 2023-24 was 5,774, compared with 5,068 in the previous year, the report said.
Among the concerns raised in 2023-24, 2,011 were made by the public, while 1,754 were from employers. The remaining sources of concerns include self-referral, NMC, another professional, another regulator or unknown sources.
The report finds that members of the public are more likely to raise concerns about midwives than employers, but employers are more likely to raise concerns about nurses and nursing associates than members of the public.
The NMC is more likely to receive concerns about male professionals, particularly those with mental health and learning disabilities.
Male professionals make up only 11% of the NMC register but account for 20% of concerns received.
From April 2019 to March 2024, the most common allegations have been concentrated on six main areas: patient care; prescribing and medicines management; record keeping; dishonesty; behaviour or violence; and communication issues.
Members of the public more commonly raise concerns about professionals’ conduct and attitude, while employers tend to focus on performance-related issues and competence.
From April 2019 to 31 March 2024, concerns raised resulted in 1,107 striking-off orders, 262 suspension orders, 195 conditions of practice orders, 165 caution orders, and 410 FtP not impaired outcomes.
A review of all cases in the five-year period found that only 29% of professionals involved in FtP cases had representation. Professionals who were represented at a hearing were more likely to be found not impaired or to receive a less restrictive sanction.
Kuljit Dhillon, interim executive director of strategy and insight at NMC, said: ‘The vast majority of nursing and midwifery professionals provide safe and effective care day in, day out. But on those occasions when concerns are raised, our data shows common themes.
‘If we’re going to uphold public confidence in the professions, then all parts of the patient safety system, including the NMC, must do better to support all professionals to communicate effectively with the people in their care.’
Ms Dhillon added: ‘We hope our insights can help our partners across the health and social care sector to better understand and address the issues of greatest concern to patients and employers.
‘For our part, we’re committed to more timely decision making in our fitness to practise process, and we’re working to improve the quality, accessibility, and usability of our data for the sector.’
Last month’s NMC Council meeting heard that its screening thresholds for FtP are ‘not quite right’ and that the regulator should work more closely with chief nurses and NHS organisations to successfully tackle its backlog.
According to November council papers, the NMC’s FtP caseload stood at 6,581 cases in October this year – up from 6,502 cases the month before.
In September 2024, the NMC received 611 referrals – the highest number in one month in the last five years.
