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  Tuesday, 09 February 2010  

Fitness to Practise

The Fitness to Practise (FtP) Directorate processes allegations of impairment of fitness to practise made against nurses and midwives on grounds including misconduct, lack of competence and ill health. The overriding purpose of FtP proceedings is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public.

Less than 0.2% of registered nurses and midwives have their conduct investigated through FtP hearings. The vast majority act in accordance with the Code and consistently meet the high standards expected by the public.


Using the civil standard of proof - important information about the move to the civil, rather than the criminal, standard of proof for FtP hearings

FtP hearings and decisions - a list of cases to be heard by FtP committees and cases already heard, the final sanctions imposed and reasons given for panel decisions

Interim orders - a list of nurses and midwives who have been suspended by the NMC as an interim measure when allegations against them pose an immediate threat

FtP circulars  - a monthly report containing details of nurses and midwives whose registration has been affected by any FtP committee

Restoration applicatons - applications for returning to the register and information on the procedure and hearings involved.

Observe an FtP hearing - dates and times of upcoming hearings and information on how to attend

How to make a referral about a nurse or midwife - guidance on how to refer a nurse or midwife to the NMC to dispute their fitness to practise


Fill out your diversity questionnaire online
We are asking nurses and midwives four questions, to help us understand the diversity of our register and to help us assess how fair our processes and services to nurses and midwives are, in particular fitness to practise.