Why is the Group needed?
In July 2024, the findings of an independent culture review into the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) were published. The review was conducted by Nazir Afzal OBE and Rise Associates, who were commissioned by the NMC after serious concerns about its culture were raised by a whistleblower in 2023. The review found evidence of safeguarding failures and that people working in the organisation have experienced racism and other forms of discrimination and bullying.
The NMC has accepted all the review’s recommendations for improvement and has committed to a programme of culture change. The NMC Independent Oversight Group will receive regular updates on the NMC’s progress, scrutinise the impact of measures it introduces to improve its culture and performance, and provide insight and advice on any further actions required.
The NMC has also commissioned two additional independent investigations into the whistleblowing concerns. Led by Ijeoma Omambala KC, the first of these is looking into the organisation’s handling of the fitness to practise cases raised through whistleblowing concerns and other routes. The second is looking into the organisation’s handling of the disclosures, including whether the whistleblower was treated fairly. The NMC has published the Terms of Reference for these investigations.
The Group will consider the findings of the Omambala KC investigations once published, expected to be early in 2025.
How will the Group work?
The PSA are providing the Chair & Secretariat for the NMC Independent Oversight Group which currently includes the following members:
- Duncan Burton (Chief Nursing Officer, England)
- Kate Brintworth (Chief Midwifery Officer, England)
- Anne Armstrong (Chief Nursing Officer, Scotland)
- Justine Craig (Chief Midwifery Officer, Scotland)
- Sue Tranka (Chief Nursing Officer, Wales)
- Karen Jewell (Chief Midwifery Officer, Wales)
- Maria McIlgorm (Chief Nursing Officer, Northern Ireland)
- Caroline Keown (Chief Midwifery Officer, Northern Ireland)
- Deborah Sturdy (Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- Gail Adams (Unison registrants’ representation)
- Anne Carvalho (Unison NMC staff representation)
- Nicola Ranger (Royal College of Nursing)
- Gill Walton (Royal College of Midwives)
- Phil Harper (DHSC)
- Donna O’Boyle (Scottish Government)
- Ian Owen (Welsh Government)
- Peter Barbour (Department of Health Northern Ireland)
- Sir David Warren (NMC Chair)
- Helen Herniman (NMC Acting Chief Executive and Registrar)
- Colette Howarth (NMC Employee Forum Co-Chair)
- Professor Habib Naqvi (Chief Executive of NHS Race & Health Observatory – Expert)
- Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark (National Guardian for Freedom to Speak Up in the NHS in England – Expert)
- Dr Crystal Oldman CBE (Chief Executive of the Queen’s Nursing Institute – Expert)
- Wendy Olayiwola (National Maternity Lead for Equality, NHS England and Professional Maternity Advocate – Expert)
- Helen Hughes (Chief Executive of Patient Safety Learning – Expert)
- Rachel Power (Chief Executive of Patients Association – Expert)
- Ben Eaton (Strategic Director, Llais – Expert)
- Derek Barron (40 years’ experience as a nurse in Scotland, including eight years in social care, and member of the NMC Professional Strategic Advisory Group – Expert)
- Alan Clamp (Chief Executive, Professional Standards Authority)
- Graham Mockler (Director of Regulation and Accreditation, Professional Standards Authority)
The Group had its first meeting on 9 September 2024. The main item of discussion was the Terms of Reference for this work, which will be finalised and published here soon. Additional members with expertise relevant to the Terms of Reference, including groups representing patient interests, will also be joining the Group shortly.
The second meeting took place on 2 October 2024 (you can see notes of meetings opposite). The Group will continue to meet regularly to scrutinise the NMC’s progress.
Terms of Reference
You can read the Terms of Reference for the NMC Independent Oversight here.
Further information
You can read more about how we are responding to the findings of the independent culture review of the NMC in our latest statement.
We will provide updates as further information becomes available. If you have any questions about the NMC Independent Oversight Group or related work, please contact NMCIOG@professionalstandards.org.uk.