PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(20 January 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the news story by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, published on 18 December 2025, what is (a) the average time and (b) the maximum time taken for the investigations that take more than 15 months to be resolved.

Asked by:
Claire Young (Liberal Democrat)

The Department does not collect this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

The Department recognises that the contents of the Independent Culture Review of the NMC conducted by Nazir Afzal OBE and Rise Associates were deeply concerning, and several ministerial meetings have taken place with the NMC to ensure the report’s recommendations are implemented. Progress is being tracked via an independent oversight group established by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) to scrutinise the impact of measures introduced by the NMC and advise on further actions required. The group includes stakeholders from across the UK and relevant experts identified by the PSA. Meeting notes are published on the PSA website, at the following link:

https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/nursing-and-midwifery-council-independent-oversight-group-updates

Answered by:
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