NMC to recruit fitness to practise panel members and chairs

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is looking to recruit 85 panel members and 55 chairs to reach timely, fair, and balanced decisions in fitness to practise cases.

Of these, 80 must be lay – someone who has not been on the NMC register – and 60 must be either a registered nurse, midwife or nursing associate.

Panels consist of three members, including at least one nurse, midwife, or nursing associate, and one lay person.

Together, they determine whether a professional is fit to practise and whether any restrictions are needed on their practice to keep people safe.

For both roles the NMC is looking for applications from a diverse range of individuals to ensure that panels are reflective of the UK population and the professionals on our register.

They have partnered with Inclusive Boards – a recruitment agency that specialises in supporting organisations to achieve their equality, diversity, and inclusion recruitment goals.

Nursing associates are encouraged to apply because the NMC currently do not have any nursing associate panel members, which they are keen to change.

Lesley Maslen, Executive Director of Professional Regulation at the NMC, said: “Ensuring that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are fit to practise is fundamental for people to receive safe, kind and effective care.

“Our independent fitness to practise panels are key to this, making fair and timely decisions about an individual’s practice.

“We’re keen that panel members and chairs embody our values – of fairness, kindness, ambition and collaboration – and are reflective of the diversity of our professions and the people we serve.”

Jane Slatter and Surinder Birdi, current and incoming independent Appointments Board Chairs said: “We are committed to appointing panel members who reflect the diversity of our professions and the communities we serve.

“Our selection processes are designed to be accessible, fair, transparent, merit-based, and free from bias and unlawful discrimination, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued."

Recruitment is live and open until Wednesday, July 17. To find out more, visit the panel member recruitment hub.