The NMC have recently announced (24 April 2023) that they will now be taking a ‘different approach’ when nurses and midwives subject to FTP concerns ask to be removed from the register.
Consideration of the seriousness of the concerns and the public interest will continue to be a significant factor in determining whether a registrant is able to be removed, but some of the ‘strict conditions’ that were previously in place no longer apply as the news release makes clear:
“…suitable cases [the NMC will], be able to consider agreed removal before concluding a full investigation and making a final decision about a professional’s fitness to practise.
- “There will no longer be a requirement that the professional must agree all the facts…”
- “There will no longer be a requirement that the professional must accept that their fitness to practise is impaired”.
The process previously known as ‘voluntary removal’ is now known as ‘agreed removal’.
A copy of the press release and updated policy can be found here: https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/nmc-to-be-more-flexible-when-professionals-ask-to-leave-the-register-after-concerns-are-raised/