This article raises issues over the way that witnesses for the NMC are treated as opposed to nurses and midwives going through the FtP process.

Currently witness are offered financial reimbursement for: travel, accommodation, meals, child care and loss of earnings.

Nurses and midwives going through FtP have to prove hardship - usually in the form of if they are claiming benefits. This is an unfair way of measuring their hardship as many are not at the point of claiming benefits but still have little spare income to afford lengthy travel to hearing centres and prolonged stays away from home and work.

Costs have to be capped for obvious reasons but the playing field needs to be fair to all. 

The Director of Fitness to Practice, Mathew McClelland, states in this peice that a solution is for witnesses for the registrant to appear via other media rather in person. However face to face presentation gives a better understanding of the intricacies of evidence and should not only be done on the basis of no other affordable means. Registrants may be able to provide expert witnesses to give clarification over points of dispute. They may be able to provide colleagues who can vouch for honesty and integrity  when it is in question. If the  NMC are looking for the truth and not just aiming to win a case surely this is fair process...