The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Education, Registration and Registration Appeals) Rules Order of Council 2004

Rules 3(1) and 3(2)

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Extract from the second Nursing Directive

Articles 1, 2 and Annex U.K.

1.  The formal qualification of nurses responsible for general care is subject to the person concerned passing an examination which guarantees that during her training period she has acquired:

(a) adequate knowledge of the sciences on which general nursing is based, including sufficient understanding of the structure, physiological functions and behaviour of healthy and sick persons, and of the relationship between the state of health and the physical and social environment of the human being;

(b) sufficient knowledge of nature and ethics of the profession and of the general principles of health and nursing;

(c) adequate clinical experience; such experience, which should be selected for its training value, should be gained under the supervision of qualified nursing staff and in places where the number of qualified staff and equipment are appropriate for the nursing care of the patients;

(d) the ability to participate in the practical training of health personnel and experience of working with such personnel;

(e) experience of working with members of other professions in the health sector.

2.  The training referred to in paragraph 1 shall include at least: U.K.

(a) a general school education of 10 years' duration attested by a diploma, certificate or other formal qualification awarded by the competent authorities or bodies in a Member State, or a certificate resulting from a qualifying examination of an equivalent standard for entrance to a nurses' training school;

(b) full time training, of a specifically vocational nature, which must cover the subjects of the programme set out [below] and comprise a three-year course or 4600 hours of theoretical and clinical instruction.

3.  Member States shall ensure that the institution training nurses is responsible for the co-ordination of theoretical and clinical instruction throughout the training. U.K.

(a) “Theoretical instruction” shall be defined as: that part of nursing training whereby student nurses acquire the knowledge, understanding and professional skills needed to plan, provide and assess total nursing care. This teaching is provided in nursing schools and other teaching environments chosen by the training institution, and is given by a staff of nursing teachers and other competent persons.

(b) “Clinical instruction” shall be defined as: that part of nursing training whereby student nurses as part of a team and in direct contact with a healthy or sick individual and/or a community learn to plan, provide and assess the required total nursing care on the basis of their acquired knowledge and skills. The student nurse learns not only to be a member of the team, but to be a team leader organising total nursing care, including health education, for individuals and small groups in the health institutions or in the community.

This instruction takes place in hospitals and other health institutions and in the community, under the responsibility of teachers who are nurses and with the co-operation and assistance of other qualified nurses. Other qualified personnel may be involved in this teaching process.

Student nurses shall participate in the activities of the departments concerned in so far as those activities contribute to their training, enabling them to learn to undertake the responsibilities inherent in nursing care.

4.  The theoretical instruction should be balanced and co-ordinated with the clinical instruction in such a way that the knowledge and experience listed in paragraph 1 may be acquired in an adequate manner. The length of the theoretical instruction shall amount to no less than one-third and that of the clinical instruction to no less than one-half of the minimum length of training referred to in paragraph 2(b). U.K.

Member States may grant partial exemption to persons who have undergone part of the training referred to in paragraph 2(b) in the form of other training which is of at least equivalent standard.

Member States may permit part-time training under conditions approved by the competent national authorities.

The total period of part-time training may not be shorter than that of full-time training. The standard of this training may not be impaired by its part-time nature.

Training Programme for Nurses Responsible for General Care U.K.

The training programme leading to the award of a diploma, certificate or evidence of other formal qualifications as nurse responsible for general care shall consist of the two parts and at least the subjects listed below. Instruction in one or more of these subjects may be given as part of, or in association with, other courses.

A.Theoretical instruction: U.K.

 

(a) Nursing:

nature and ethics of the profession,

general principles of health and nursing,

nursing principles in relation to:

— general and specialist medicine,

— general and specialist surgery,

— child care and paediatrics,

— maternity care,

— mental health and psychiatry,

— care of the old and geriatrics.

(b) Basic sciences:

anatomy and physiology,

pathology,

bacteriology, virology and parasitology,

biophysics, biochemistry and radiology,

dietetics,

hygiene:

— preventive medicine,

— health education,

pharmacology.

(c) Social sciences:

sociology,

psychology,

principles of administration,

principles of teaching,

social and health legislation,

legal aspects of nursing.

B. Clinical Instruction: U.K.

• Nursing in relation to:

  • — general and specialist medicine,

  • — general and specialist surgery,

  • — child care and paediatrics,

  • — maternity care,

  • — mental health and psychiatry,

  • — care of the old and geriatrics,

  • — home nursing.

Rules 3(1) and 3(2)

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Extract from the second Midwifery Directive

Articles 1 and 3 U.K.

[The numbering given to some of the provisions reproduced below has been changed for ease of reference]

1.  [Formal qualification in midwifery is subject to the person concerned acquiring during the total duration of her training:] U.K.

(a) adequate knowledge of the sciences on which the activities of midwives are based, particularly obstetrics and gynaecology;

(b) adequate knowledge of the ethics of the profession and the professional legislation;

(c) detailed knowledge of biological functions, anatomy, and physiology in the field of obstetrics and of the newly born, and also a knowledge of the relationship between the state of health and the physical and social environment of the human being, and of her behaviour;

(d) adequate clinical experience gained in approved institutions under the supervision of staff qualified in midwifery and obstetrics;

(e) adequate understanding of the training of health personnel and experience of working with such personnel.

2.  The training referred to in paragraph 1 shall comprise: U.K.

(a) either a full-time course in midwifery comprising at least three years of practical and theoretical studies, admission to which is subject to completion of at least the first 110 years of general school education,

(b) or a full-time course in midwifery lasting at least 18 months, admission to which is subject to possession of a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualifications of nurses responsible for general care.

3.  The course in midwifery provided for in paragraph 2(a) shall cover at least the subjects of the training programme listed below. U.K.

The course provided for in paragraph 2(b) shall cover at least the subjects of the training programme set out below which did not form part of an equivalent course in the training of nurses.

4.  Member States shall ensure that the institution training midwives is responsible for the coordination of theory and practice throughout the programme. U.K.

The theoretical and technical training shall be balanced and co-ordinated with the clinical training of midwives in such a way that their knowledge and experience listed in paragraph 1 may be acquired in an adequate manner.

Clinical instruction shall take the form of supervised in-service training in hospital departments or other health services approved by the competent authorities or bodies. As part of this training, student midwives shall participate in the activities of the departments concerned in so far as those activities contribute to their training. They shall be taught the responsibilities involved in the activities of midwives.

Member States may permit part-time training under conditions approved by the competent national authorities.

The total period of part-time training may not be less than that of full-time training. The standard of the training may not be impaired by its part-time nature.

Training Programme for Midwives U.K.

The training programme for obtaining a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualifications in midwifery consists of the following two parts:

A  Theoretical and Technical Instruction U.K.

 

(a) General subjects:

1. Basic anatomy and physiology;

2. Basic Pathology;

3. Basic bacteriology, virology and parasitology;

4. Basic biophysics, biochemistry and radiology;

5. Paediatrics, with particular reference to new-born infants;

6. Hygiene, health education, preventive medicine, early diagnosis of diseases;

7. Nutrition and dietetics, with particular reference to women, new-born and young babies;

8. Basic sociology and socio-medical questions;

9. Basic pharmacology;

10. Psychology;

11. Principles and methods of teaching;

12. Health and social legislation and health organisation;

13. Professional ethics and professional legislation;

14. Sex education and family planning;

15. Legal protection of mother and infant.

(b) Subjects specific to the activities of midwives:

1. Anatomy and physiology;

2. Embryology and development of the fetus;

3. Pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium;

4. Gynaecological and obstetrical pathology;

5. Preparation for childbirth and parenthood, including psychological aspects;

6. Preparation for delivery (including knowledge and use of technical equipment in obstetrics);

7. Analgesia, anaesthesia and resuscitation;

8. Physiology and pathology of the new-born infant;

9. Care and supervision of the new-born infant;

10. Psychological and social factors.

B Practical and Clinical Training U.K.

• This training is to be dispensed under appropriate supervision:

  (1)

  Advising of pregnant women, involving at least 100 pre-natal examinations;

  (2)

  Supervision and care of at least 40 women in labour;

  (3)

  The student should personally carry out at least 40 deliveries; where this number cannot be reached owing to the lack of available women in labour, it may be reduced to a minimum of 30, provided that the student participates actively in 20 further deliveries;

  (4)

  Active participation with breech deliveries. Where this is not possible because of lack of breech deliveries, practice may be in a simulated situation;

  (5)

  Performance of episiotomy and initiation into suturing. Initiation shall include theoretical instruction and clinical practice. The practice of suturing includes suturing of the wound following an episiotomy and a simple perineal laceration. This may be in a simulated situation if absolutely necessary;

  (6)

  Supervision and care of 40 women at risk in pregnancy or labour or post-natal period;

  (7)

  Supervision and care (including examination) of at least 100 post-natal women and healthy new-born infants;

  (8)

  Observation and care of the new-born requiring special care including those born pre-term, post-term, underweight or ill;

  (9)

  Care of women with pathological conditions in the fields of gynaecology and obstetrics;

  (10)

  Initiation into care in the field of medicine and surgery. Initiation shall include theoretical instruction and clinical practice.

Rule 5(1)(a)

SCHEDULE 3 U.K. Application for admission to a part of the register

The following information shall be provided by an applicant, on the personalised documentation supplied by the Council—

(a) her surname;

(b) her forenames;

(c) her personal identification number or personal reference number as applicable;

(d) her address for correspondence;

(e) the part of the register to which her application relates;

(f) details of her qualification;

(g) a declaration by the applicant as to her good health and good character;

(h) confirmation that she has not been convicted of any criminal offence or been issued with a formal caution and, if she has, details of such conviction or formal caution.

Rule 11(a)

SCHEDULE 4 U.K. Notice of renewal of registration

1.  The following information shall be provided by the registrant, on the personalised documentation supplied by the Council— U.K.

(a) her surname;

(b) her initials;

(c) her personal identification number;

(d) the date upon which her existing period of registration shall end;

(e) a declaration that she has complied with rule 13(1) in respect of the part or parts of the register in relation to which she is seeking to renew her registration; and

(f) a declaration by the registrant as to her good health and good character.

2.  Any registrant who has been convicted of any criminal offence or been issued with a formal caution, since her registration or last renewal of registration, shall provide details of the same in a manner which the Council may from time to time determine. U.K.