PART IIF10The Practice Committees
The Nursing and Midwifery Council and its CommitteesI1I2I3I4I5I63
1
There shall be a body corporate known as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (referred to in this Order as “the Council”).
2
The principal functions of the Council shall be to establish from time to time standards of education, training, conduct and performance for F12nurses, midwives and nursing associates and to ensure the maintenance of those standards.
3
The Council shall have such other functions as are conferred on it by this Order or as may be provided by the Privy Council by order.
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The over-arching objective of the Council in exercising its functions is the protection of the public.
4A
The pursuit by the Council of its over-arching objective involves the pursuit of the following objectives—
a
to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of the public;
b
to promote and maintain public confidence in the professions regulated under this Order; and
c
to promote and maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of those professions.
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In exercising its functions, the Council shall—
a
have proper regard for—
i
the interests of persons using or needing the services of registrants in the United Kingdom, and
ii
any differing interests of different categories of registrants;
b
co-operate, in so far as is appropriate and reasonably practicable, with public bodies or other persons concerned with—
i
the employment (whether or not under a contract of service) of registrants,
ii
the education or training of nurses, midwives F13, nursing associates or other health care professionals,
iii
the regulation of, or the co-ordination of the regulation of, other health or social care professionals,
iv
the regulation of health services, and
v
the provision, supervision or management of health services.
5A
In carrying out its duty to co-operate under paragraph (5)(b), the Council shall have regard to any differing considerations relating to practising as a nurse or midwife which apply in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
5B
In paragraph (5), “health care professionals” means persons regulated by a body, other than the Council, mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (which relates to the Council for the Regulation of Health Care Professionals).
6
Before making any order under paragraph (3), the Privy Council shall consult the Council.
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F37A
The Council shall be constituted as provided for by order of the Privy Council, subject to Part 1 of Schedule 1.
8
Part I of Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the constitution of the CouncilF4and orders of the Privy Council under paragraph (7A).
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There shall be two committees of the Council, to be known as—
a
the Investigating Committee; and
b
the Fitness to Practise Committee.
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The two committees mentioned in paragraph (9) are referred to in this Order as “the Practice Committees”.
11
Each of the F8Practice Committees shall have the functions conferred on it by this Order.
12
The Council may establish such other committees as it considers appropriate in connection with the discharge of its functions and delegate any of its functions to them, other than any power to make rules.
13
The Council shall inform and educate registrants, and shall inform the public, about its work.
14
Before establishing any standards or giving any guidance under this Order the Council shall consult representatives of any group of persons it considers appropriate including, as it sees fit, representatives of—
a
registrants or classes of registrant;
b
employers of registrants;
c
users of the services of registrants; and
d
persons providing, assessing or funding education or training for registrants or prospective registrants.
15
The Council shall publish any standards it establishes and any guidance it gives.
16
Paragraphs (14) and (15) do not apply to guidance given to an individual which is particular to him.
17
Part II of Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the F9Practice Committees.
18
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Sch. 1 Pt. 2 heading substituted (28.7.2017) by The Nursing and Midwifery (Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/321), art. 1(4), Sch. 1 para. 19(c) (with art. 3)