Time is running out to apply to join fitness to practise panel

Applicants have until the end of this week to put themselves forward for the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s independent fitness to practise panel.

The NMC is looking for at least 70 people to join its pool of lay and registrant independent panel members, to make fair, high-quality decisions on fitness to practise cases.

It is also looking to recruit at least 50 legal assessors to ensure the fairness of proceedings.

Panel members work in groups of three, in which there is always at least one nurse, midwife or nursing associate, and one lay person – someone who’s never been on our register.

Panel members collaborate to decide whether a professional is fit to practise and decide what restrictions, if any, to put on their practice to keep people safe.

A legal assessor will also sit with the panel to provide advice and support throughout hearings to ensure panels’ decisions reflect NMC’s legislation and guidance, and are clear and well-reasoned.

The NMC wants its panels to reflect the diversity of the professionals on its register and the public it serves, so it particularly encourages applicants from professionals with disabilities, professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds and younger professionals. 

Its number one priority is reducing its fitness to practise caseload. To achieve this, it asks panel members to be available for between 15 and 50 days a year, including four days for a thorough induction when appointed, and one day a year for training and development.

Lesley Maslen, NMC Executive Director of Professional Regulation, said: “We want to see nurses, midwives and nursing associates who are fit to practise, to deliver safe, effective and kind care.

“To do that, we nurture a culture of learning and improvement, so that care becomes better and safer for everyone. 

“When someone raises a question about a professional’s fitness to practise, we give them the chance to address the concerns, but we’ll always take action when needed. That’s where our panel members come in.

“In the most serious of cases, panel members collaborate to come to a decision about whether a professional is fit to practise and decide what restrictions, if any, to put on the professional’s practice to keep people safe. 

“With that in mind, and in the interests of people and communities, we want to hear from applicants who demonstrate our values of being fair, kind, ambitious and collaborative - while championing our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.”

The closing date for applications is 1pm on Friday, June 9.

To find out more click here