The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched its consultation seeking views on the proposed registration fees for nursing associates.
Proposals outlined in the consultation would see the cost of registration for registered nursing associates broadly aligned with those of their nursing and midwifery counterparts.
Commenting on the consultation Jackie Smith, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: “This consultation is a vital step on the road to the NMC becoming the regulator of nursing associates.
“We know that there will be broad a range of views on what the fees for nursing associates should be.
“The proposals set out today are based on the core principle that the cost of regulation should be covered by those being regulated.
“Over the coming weeks we‘ll be engaging widely with all of our key stakeholders including trainee nursing associates, trade unions and employers and I would encourage anyone with an interest in this important matter to share their views.”
It’s expected that nursing associates will be subject to the full suite of regulation, meaning that broadly the same regulatory processes that are in place for nurses and midwives will apply. This includes the requirement to maintain their registration through a process of revalidation as well as having fitness to practise processes in place should nursing associates fall below our standards.
The consultation will run from 4 December for 12 weeks, after which the NMC’s Council will consider the evidence carefully before making a final decision on the fees later next year.
View the consultation here.