EDM: Legal protection of the nurse job title

Legal protection of the nurse job title

Tabled by Dawn Butler (Labour) 37 signatures

The motion

That this House notes with concern that the job title of nurse is not currently a legally protected term, despite the high levels of public trust placed in the profession; further notes that, while the title of registered nurse is protected, the widespread and unregulated use of the term nurse by individuals without appropriate qualifications and registration on parts one and two of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register poses a serious risk to patient safety and undermines the integrity of the profession; recognises the findings of a Nursing Standard freedom of information request that revealed over 8,000 individuals across 93% of NHS trusts are using the title of nurse without being registered; is alarmed that individuals struck off the NMC register, including those with criminal convictions, can continue to use the title without legal consequence; acknowledges that the term nurse is protected in many other countries as a means of safeguarding the public; supports the Protect Nurse campaign backed by professional bodies, patient safety organisations, unions and the Royal College of Nursing; believes exemptions should apply for the use of the designations such as veterinary nurse and dental nurse; and calls on the Government to support the Nurse (Use of Title) Bill in the name of the hon. Member for Brent East to include nurse as a protected professional title, thereby ensuring that only those registered on part one and two of the NMC register may legally use the term.

Signatories (37)