Unite released a position statement last week on the independent culture review of the NMC led by Nazir Afzal. The union called it ‘a distressing read’.
‘The NMC’s primary aim is to protect the public and it is essential that the public and those whom the NMC regulate have confidence in their ability to fulfil their remit, fairly and with compassion,’ the statement reads. ‘Unite shares the view of its members who pay the NMC a fee to be able to work, that it is extremely concerning that the NMC is not adhering to the standards they expect from their registrants’.
Unite’s statement went on to address several points. For instance, their view on the appointment of an independent Empowered to Speak Up Guardian, is that ‘more detail is required on how this will work in practice and how their effectiveness will be evaluated’.
Unite also wants the staff and registrants who have been on the receiving end of bullying and racism ‘to be assured that those responsible have been held to account and has requested the NMC address this’. It also states the need for the diversity of NMC staff, their Council and panel members ‘to be addressed as a matter of urgency’.
‘Unite was saddened to learn of the deaths referred to in the report and our sincere condolences go out to the families involved,’ the union said.
Regarding fitness to practice, Unite says ‘the additional investment of £30m is positive’ but ‘questions whether it will have the required impact’ if there is no ‘fundamental change in culture and processes’. The statement reads: ‘As the number of referrals continues to grow, the length cases are taking will continue to increase unless there are significant changes to the processes… Unite calls on the new government to implement regulatory reform as soon as possible’.
What is the way forward according to the union? ‘Unite is of the view that change will only happen if the NMC truly understands why the culture has become so toxic and why despite their best efforts, they have so far not been able to impact on this’.
‘Unite is therefore calling for emergency government intervention and greater scrutiny from the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) to ensure that all regulators adhere to the same standards which they expect of their registrants’.
The Unite position statement also highlighted that the NMC Council were set to discuss the review at their meeting on 24 July and to consider the actions that will be taken to address the issues identified. This meeting has now taken place, and the NMC has ‘set out the next steps towards change, having accepted all the recommendations of an independent review into its culture’.
Unite lead professional officer Jane Beach pointed out, that the only clear point that has been actioned since the Unite position statement so far, is enhanced oversight from the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
The Unite position statement concludes: ‘Unite has asked the NMC for stakeholders, including trade unions, to have the opportunity to meet with the report’s author and awaits a response. Going forward Unite will continue to closely monitor the NMC’s plans for implementing the recommendations and ensure they are robust and lead to sustained change.’
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