RCM responds to NMC midwife revalidation plans

Commenting on the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) plans on revalidation of nurses and midwives announced today, Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: “The RCM is pleased to have been involved in discussions on this issue.

"There is no doubt that It is essential for public safety that midwives are competent and safe practitioners, and the public should rightly expect health professionals to show they are up to date on their practice.

“It is worth noting that midwives already have an annual assessment of their competence through statutory supervision by supervisors of midwives. Supervision plays a pivotal role in the governance of midwifery practice by ensuring standards meet those required by the NMC. Women can already take their concerns to supervisors of midwives to discuss any aspects of care they feel has not been addressed through other channels.

“However, we do support these proposals but any method of validation must be proportionate and cost effective. The NHS and NMC will have to invest heavily in managerial skills and protected time for midwives if this new system is to work.

“The RCM wants to see appraisal, which is part of midwives’ UK wide terms and conditions, work, but if this is to be the basis of revalidation it will need to be delivered uniformly across the NHS.

“The proposals appear to suggest a three yearly enhanced form of appraisal, but the issue is that currently a significant proportion of midwives do not get an appraisal and of those that do a large number do not find it useful.

“We look forward to working with the NMC to move these proposals forward so that they work for midwives and importantly ensure competence and safety to protect the public.”