We have been monitoring the numbers of nurses and / or midwives sanctioned at hearing on a monthly basis.

This is according to outcomes published on the NMC website - it doesn't include cases that are still ongoing and the outcome is yet to be decided.

In the 8 months so far this year, over half the cases heard at hearing have resulted in the nurse or midwife being removed from the register either by an interim suspension order, a suspension order or a strike off order. We know from our own research that many of those who receive only a conditions of practice order do not work in a nursing or midwife role again.

£51 of the £120 registration fee that registrants have to pay to the Nursing and Midwifery Council in order to retain their PIN and be able to work gets spent on Fitness to Practice. Only £4 goes on education and standards.

It would be good to see more being spent on education in order to keep registrants on the register rather than legal process to take them off .