The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has responded to the news that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) failed over a number of years to properly check criminal records and health declarations for some nurses and midwives joining the register. 

The NMC failed over a 12-year period to properly assess some criminal record disclosures and health declarations made by nurses and midwives on their registration applications. The regulator has said the issue affects a small number of registrants and there is no evidence patients were put at risk. 

The RCM has responded with the following: 

“News of the NMC’s historic failure to properly check criminal records and health declarations will cause understandable anxiety for the small number of midwives affected. It’s important to note that midwives themselves are not at fault – this is the NMC’s failure – and it will also put a burden on NHS employers and raise questions for the public. 

“We know NHS employers already carry out their own enhanced checks on maternity staff, so there is no suggestion that the public have been put at risk. But the RCM will be seeking assurance from the NMC to ensure this issue is resolved swiftly, fairly and cannot happen again. 

“The RCM has been told that only a very small number of nurses and midwives are affected and they will be notified by the NMC today or by post in the coming days. We know this will be a very worrying time and the RCM can offer support and advice to any affected members on 0300 303 0444.” 

The NMC has now launched a review, contacted affected professionals and said it is taking steps to address the failures and prevent them happening again.