This autumn, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is starting a consultation regarding a proposed fee increase. It feels as though this decision has already been made behind closed doors, without meaningful input from those it affects the most. Council have been discussing it for many months...

What’s more, the consultation process will be outsourced to an organization called "Thinks" to manage and organize, creating a layer of separation between us registrants and the NMC. How much is this costing ?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is facing a projected deficit of around £24 million they say due to a decade-long freeze on its registration fees, which has resulted in a significant drop in real income despite increased costs and staff growth. To address this, the NMC is proposing to increase the annual registration fee and reduce its workforce by about 145 roles.

This was proposed 8 years ago but did not move forward

Over recent years we have seen a number of  report attesting to the failings of this organisation and the enormous costs associated to these reports - all funded by our fees

1. Ijeoma Omambala investigation = £100,000 = 834 registrant annual fees ( this report never concluded as was recommissioned before publication )

2.Rise Associates report = £96,000 = 800 reg fees. Gave ++ recommendations for change in regards to culture and FtP processes.

3. "external legal and HR services = £178.032 = 1,483 fees unknown the purpose but skeptics state to "deal with whistleblowing staff members"

4. Price Waterhouse Cooper "assistant contract" = £9million = 75,000 fees ( perhaps to assist with recent PR attempts at protecting the brand amidst huge criticism

5. Capsticks and Weightmans = £14.9million - 124,166 fees. Outsourced law firms to help reduce the case backlog

6. B3sixty = £30,063 = 250 reg fees - unknown purpose

7. Bates Wells (TO DATE! ) - unknown purpose

£64,161.50 + VAT = 559.68 fees

To a registrant it will feel that our fees are being used to fund expensive employment and legal experts but NOT to improve regulation. The NMC will say they need their funds in order to do this.

10 years ago the narrative about the NMC poor culture and efficiency was under huge scrutiny resulting in a Health Select Committee inquiry - nothing much has changed other than now proposals that a fee increase will solve the issue

NMC sees the only way forward is to add additional burden to registrants by increasing their fees and yet there has been no accountability for the wastage of the above expenditure as only a few examples 

This process feels like a mere formality, rather than a genuine dialogue. We are concerned that, even if fees are increased, the funds raised will not be used optimally to serve the needs of nurses and midwives.

We are calling on the NMC to halt the proposed fee increase until there has been genuine, transparent, and inclusive consultation with registrants. It is imperative that the voices of nurses and midwives are heard and valued. The NMC must ensure that any fee taken from hard-working professionals directly benefits their practice and enhances patient care.

Secondly, we propose the establishment of an independent committee consisting of registrants, tasked with reviewing the allocation of funds and ensuring financial accountability. This will not only build trust but also ensure that every pound collected is spent wisely and effectively.

Finally we call on government to do an urgent review of spending to establish what is really going on here.

Stand with us in demanding transparency and accountability. Sign this petition to stop the unnecessary fee increase and ensure that any future decisions are made with the best interests of nurses and midwives at heart.