Last week, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) announced a significant delay in its plans to regulate advanced practice roles for nurses and midwives, pushing the timeline back to 2027-2028.

This postponement has sparked concern among healthcare professionals and organisations, including our partners at The Queen’s Nursing Institute and the Association of Advanced Practice Educators (AAPE UK).

Advanced practice roles are pivotal in delivering complex and autonomous care to patients. These positions require a high level of expertise, enabling experienced nurses and midwives to manage intricate health conditions, prescribe medications, and lead clinical teams. The absence of standardised regulation in this area has long been a topic of discussion, with many advocating for a consistent framework to ensure public safety and professional accountability.

The NMC’s decision to delay the regulation process is particularly disheartening given the extensive groundwork already laid. In March 2024, the NMC‘s Council approved the development of additional regulation for advanced practice, acknowledging the crucial role these practitioners play in the healthcare system. This initiative aimed to address inconsistencies in education, training, and qualifications among advanced practitioners, as highlighted by independent research from The Nuffield Trust. The research underscored the need for a unified approach to mitigate risks to public safety arising from the current variability in advanced practice roles.

Our partners at The Queen’s Nursing Institute and AAPE UK have expressed their concerns regarding this delay.

As we await further developments, it is imperative for the NMC to engage with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, educators, and the public, to expedite the regulatory process. Establishing a clear and consistent framework for advanced practice is not only a matter of professional recognition but also a critical step towards enhancing patient care and safety.