Thousands of patients across the United Kingdom may have been treated by nurses and midwives who should never have been allowed to practise, after serious failings by the Nursing and Midwifery Council came to light.
The NMC admitted that “completely and utterly unacceptable” mistakes meant it failed to properly investigate healthcare professionals who had disclosed criminal convictions or health concerns over the past 12 years.
According to the regulator, around 15 nurses and midwives who should have been permanently banned from healthcare were allowed to continue treating patients because staff failed to follow proper procedures.
The issue emerged after the NMC reviewed more than 18,000 applications handled over the last decade. The investigation found that 434 cases involving health or criminal concerns had not been correctly referred for further assessment.
Of those cases, 402 involved criminal charges, convictions, cautions or conditional discharges, while 32 related to health conditions that could affect patient safety.
The NMC said some of those professionals may now face being struck off the register.
“It is estimated that assistant registrars could make recommendations that up to 15 nursing and midwifery professionals should be removed from the nursing and midwifery register,” the regulator said.
Paul Rees apologised for the failures and admitted the regulator had not properly protected the public.
“I would like to apologise for the fact that for a period of 12 years we failed to ensure that all health and character declarations were assessed in line with our full process. This is completely and utterly unacceptable,” Rees said.
The scandal has sparked criticism from healthcare organisations and patient groups.
The Royal College of Nursing described the situation as an “astounding failure” by the regulator.
Lynn Woolsey warned the failings represented “a potentially dangerous regulatory failing”.
“The NMC must ensure all those practising as registered nurses are safe to do so at the point of registration and throughout their careers,” Woolsey said.
The Patients Association also expressed concern, warning the failures could damage public trust in healthcare staff and patient safety.
Rachel Power said patients deserved transparency if they had been treated by professionals who should not have been practising.
“Patients treated by individuals who never should have been on the register should not be left to wonder if they were impacted but deserve honest and direct communication,” she said.
The UK government said it supported efforts by the NMC’s new leadership team to address the historic failings and restore public confidence in the healthcare register.