The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced who will lead an independent review into the regulator’s culture after allegations of racism, sexism and fear of speaking up were reported last year. .
Lawyer Nazir Afzal and consultancy firm Rise Associates will conduct the cultural review called by the NMC leadership.
“A defensive culture in health and care services is causing great harm.”
Nazir Afzal
The terms of reference document said the review will consider specific concerns raised about the regulator’s culture, which first came to light in an Independent news article last autumn.
These articles allege that NMC staff were encouraged to prioritize the speed of processing Fitness to Practice (FtP) cases over handling cases carefully and thoroughly.
These included allegations of racial and sexual discrimination and inappropriate whistleblowing practices within the organization.
Shortly after, the NMC promised to look into the allegations “carefully”.
The review being carried out by Afzal and Rise Associates will focus on NMC’s internal culture. Other external investigations are also being carried out in parallel to investigate the whistleblower and his FtP concerns.
According to the terms of reference, the culture review will examine the actions and decisions of leaders at “all levels” and their impact on the organization’s people and culture.
We aim to identify the barriers that exist within the NMC that prevent staff from having a voice, as well as the general differences in experience between staff depending on their protected characteristics.
Mr Afzal, a former Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor, said he was trying to get to the “heart of the NMC’s culture”, adding that he was “honoured” to lead the review.
“Nursing and midwifery are the foundation of health care, but in recent years there have been too many care scandals where a defensive culture within health and care services has caused significant damage. It’s very important to have a regulatory authority for ‘safety,”’ Afzal said.
“Over the next four months, we will delve into the heart of NMC’s culture and how it impacts our work, ensuring that all staff enjoy dignity and are empowered to have a voice at work. We want to do everything we can to make it feel like we can address complaints and put the public’s health, safety and well-being first.”
NMC said it expected the investigation to take at least four months and that the findings and actions taken would be made public.
NMC CEO and Registrar Andrea Sutcliffe said NMC is delighted to be working with Mr Afzal and Rise Associates.
Furthermore, she added: “We are here to protect our people and to do that, all of our NMC colleagues need to feel valued and supported to effectively carry out our purpose. there is.”
“It is essential that we foster an open, inclusive and high-performance environment where we all feel able to thrive.
“We need our colleagues to feel empowered to effectively carry out all regulatory duties and make fair decisions that protect public safety.”
She welcomed what she called “a great opportunity to get to the root of the problem” that has emerged in recent months.
Sir David Warren, Chairman of the NMC Council, added: “Council takes the concerns raised about our culture very seriously and welcomes the appointment of Nazir Afzal and Rise Associates.
“Their rigorous, independent research helps us embed a culture where our values of fairness, kindness, ambition and collaboration are consistently reflected in the experience of our colleagues and everyone we work with. I’m confident.”