What is the primary function of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)?

The primary function of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is to protect the public by ensuring that nurses and midwives are fit to practice. This mission is fundamental to the NMC's role in maintaining high standards of care and ensuring public safety in healthcare settings. The NMC sets the criteria for registration and outlines the required professional standards that nurses and midwives must meet. This includes ongoing competence and accountability within their practice. By safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the public, the NMC plays a critical role in reinforcing trust in the nursing and midwifery professions.

While regulating healthcare practitioners, providing educational resources, and evaluating nursing programs are important aspects of the healthcare system, they are secondary to the core mission of protecting the public. The NMC’s primary focus is to ensure that all registered nurses and midwives are qualified and competent to provide safe and effective care, thereby prioritizing public safety above all else.