Nursing and Midwifery Council

Happy International Nurses Day 💙 Our Acting Executive Director of Professional Practice, Professor Donna O’Boyle MBE, shares a message for nursing professionals across the UK – recognising the dedication, professionalism and expertise they bring to people, families and communities every day. At the NMC, we remain committed to upholding the professional standards that support nursing professionals to practise in challenging circumstances. Thank you to nursing professionals in all settings across the UK for the positive difference you make to the nation’s health and wellbeing. #IND2026 #InternationalNursesDay

📣 Our public consultation, open until 23 July, is seeking views on proposals to update our education standards, with a focus on practice learning. These proposed changes are based on engagement with our partners and stakeholders about what they want to see in the updated education and training standards. We carried out research and engagement throughout 2024 and 2025 with students, professionals, approved education institutions (AEIs), practice learning partners (PLP), the public and stakeholders. The proposed changes are influenced by issues emerging in the practice learning landscape, such as the mixed experience of nursing students on practice learning placements and the concerns raised by some student midwives about gaining the confidence and competency they need for practice. And they include the thought-provoking proposals – based on feedback from our stakeholders – to reduce the number of learning hours in nursing programmes, and to extend the length of midwifery programmes. Open to everyone, this consultation forms part of an essential roadmap to support nursing and midwifery practice and protect the public through modernised standards. 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to share your views before 23 July.

Happy International Day of the Midwife 💙 Our Assistant Director for Midwifery, Tracey MacCormack, shares her thanks to midwives across the country for the safe, kind and effective care you provide to women, babies and families. At the NMC, we’re committed to supporting midwives to uphold standards, to ensure safe and equitable care. Thank you to midwives whose expertise, dedication and commitment continue to make a difference every day. #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife #IDM2026

Following International Nurses Day, we’re spotlighting Roisin Devlin, Assistant Director of Nursing and Midwifery at South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. 💙 After almost 35 years in nursing, Roisin reflects on a career shaped by professionalism, leadership and service. Her reflections highlight the importance of integrity, setting standards and holding onto the values that first inspired you to pursue nursing. Tap the link in our bio to read more from Roisin. #InternationalNursesDay #IND2026

Following International Nurses Day, we’re spotlighting Caroline Ogunsola, Professional Development Lead Nurse at East London NHS Foundation Trust. 💙 For Caroline, nursing is about combining clinical expertise with leadership – supporting patient care while helping shape systems, mentor others and improve outcomes more widely. Her reflections highlight the importance of curiosity, compassion and recognising the value nurses bring at every stage of their careers. Tap the link in our bio to read more from Caroline. #InternationalNursesDay #IND2026

Today, on #InternationalNursesDay, we’re recognising the dedication, professionalism and expertise of the 793,694 nurses and 13,433 nursing associates on our register 💙 Nursing professionals play a vital role in caring for people, families and communities across a wide range of settings – delivering the safe and equitable care we will all need at some stage in our lives. At the NMC, we’re committed to becoming the strong and independent regulator that everyone wants to see – upholding the professional standards that support registrants to practise in challenging circumstances. Thank you to nursing professionals in all settings across the UK – for the positive difference you make to the nation’s health and wellbeing. #IND2026

Following International Day of the Midwife, we’re spotlighting Paris Pinnock-Cowell, Matron for Perinatal Health and Wellbeing Services 💙 For Paris, midwifery is a privilege, supporting women through one of the most significant periods of their lives with compassion, professionalism and care. Her reflections highlight the importance of personalised, accessible and safe care, and the vital role midwives play in helping women not only get through pregnancy but thrive. Tap the link in our bio to read more from Paris. #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife #IDM2026

Following International Day of the Midwife, we’re continuing to spotlight midwives by sharing Wendy's reflections 💙 For Wendy, midwifery is about walking alongside women and families through some of life’s most powerful and vulnerable moments, providing skilled, compassionate and respectful care while advocating for choice, safety and equity. Her reflections are a powerful reminder that midwifery is grounded not only in clinical excellence, but also in trust, inclusion and ensuring every woman feels seen, heard and valued. 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to read Wendy's full reflections. #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife #IDM2026

Following International Day of the Midwife, we’re continuing to spotlight midwives by sharing James's reflections 💙 For James, midwifery is about combining clinical skill with compassion – listening, advocating, and standing alongside women and families through some of life’s most significant moments. His reflections highlight the vital role midwives play in supporting safer, kinder and more equitable experiences, while helping women feel empowered, respected and supported throughout pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to read James's full reflections. #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife #IDM2026

Today, on #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife, we’re recognising the skill, compassion and professionalism of midwives across the UK 💙 At its best, midwifery care plays a vital role in supporting women, babies and families through some of life’s most profound moments. At the NMC, we’re committed to supporting midwives to uphold standards, to ensure safe and equitable care. Thank you to midwives whose expertise, dedication and commitment continue to make a difference every day. #IDM2026

Today, we’ve launched a 12‑week public consultation until 23 July, on proposals to update our education standards, with a focus on practice learning. These proposed changes are based on engagement with our partners and stakeholders about what they want to see in the updated education and training standards. We carried out research and engagement throughout 2024 and 2025 with students, professionals, approved education institutions (AEIs), practice learning partners (PLP), the public and stakeholders. This research found that while many students benefit from positive placements, the quality of experiences can vary. The proposed changes are influenced by issues emerging in the practice learning landscape, such as the mixed experience of nursing students on practice learning placements and the concerns raised by some student midwives about gaining the confidence and competency they need for practice. And they include the thought-provoking proposals – based on feedback from our stakeholders – to reduce the number of learning hours in nursing programmes, and to extend the length of midwifery programmes. For nursing programmes, the proposal is to reduce the minimum number of programme hours from 4,600 to 3,600 – to place a greater emphasis on the quality of practice learning experiences rather than the achievement of a set number of practice learning hours. The midwifery proposal is to extend programmes from three to four years – against the backdrop of high-profile inquiries into maternity care across the four nations of the UK, which have investigated concerns about the safety, quality and culture of maternity and neonatal services. Other proposals include strengthening anti-racism, bias awareness, cultural curiosity, safety and respect in education and training; setting nursing associate programmes at a minimum of 2,300 hours if nursing degree hours are reduced; and ensuring all nursing students complete at least one community-based practice learning experience in health or social care. The consultation is open to everyone. 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to find out more and have your say today.

Black Maternal Health Awareness Week, led by @fivexmore_ , is an important moment to recognise the stark disparities in maternal outcomes across the UK. Figures from MBRRACE-UK show that Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy or in the immediate postnatal period, and Black babies are over twice as likely to be stillborn as White babies. To help tackle the Black maternal health crisis and wider Black health disparities, we will be launching new anti-racism principles in May for nursing and midwifery education and practice, being clear that all nurses, midwives and nursing associates should practise in line with them – ahead of the new Code being published in 2027. ⬆️ Read reflections from Clotilde Abe, co-founder of Five X More and member of our Midwifery Strategic Advisory Group, and Wendy Olayiwola, National Maternity Lead for Equality at NHS England, on the importance of #BlackMaternalHealthAwarenessWeek 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to read more about the anti-racism principles.