NMC initial feedback: professionals call for clearer rules on AI, anti-racism and staff wellbeing
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published early findings from its review of the Code and revalidation guidance. The initial survey responses — more than 12,500 to date — show that nurses, midwives and nursing associates want clearer standards on the safe and appropriate use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), stronger support to challenge racism and other discrimination, and improved guidance to protect staff wellbeing and support decisions when services are short-staffed.
Clearer guidance on AI and digital professionalism
Respondents repeatedly asked for the Code to reflect the realities of modern practice, with a particular emphasis on the safe use of AI tools and social media. Professionals want practical, up-to-date guidance that helps them maintain professional boundaries when using digital tools and that outlines how to use AI responsibly in clinical and administrative settings.
Challenging discrimination and strengthening EDI
Another prominent theme was the need for the Code to better enable nurses and midwives to challenge racism and other kinds of discrimination — whether from colleagues, patients or people who use services. Survey respondents stressed the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and want standards that actively help reduce persistent health inequalities and protect colleagues and patients.
In recognition of this urgency, the NMC is already taking steps beyond the Code review, including signing the Unison Anti-Racism Charter, pledging to de-bias regulatory processes with a target to eliminate disproportionate Fitness to Practise referrals related to ethnicity by 2030, and increasing ethnic diversity among panel members who sit on Fitness to Practise hearings.
Supporting wellbeing and practical revalidation
Staff wellbeing and the pressures of working in understaffed services were named as priorities. Respondents said they would value a Code that supports professionals in protecting their own wellbeing and that gives clearer, more flexible guidance on revalidation — for example, more tailored options around continuing professional development (CPD) and confirmation processes so revalidation is fair and proportionate to individual circumstances.
What happens next?
The NMC will use the survey findings alongside wider research and engagement with professionals, the public and partners to inform revisions to the Code and revalidation guidance. A formal consultation is planned for September 2026 as part of a broader programme to modernise standards and revalidation.
Funding and wider reform
Modernising the Code and revalidation is part of a significant investment in the regulator’s work. To support this programme, the NMC launched a consultation on 3 November 2025 proposing the first rise in the registration fee for ten years. Proposed improvements funded by this change include making Fitness to Practise processes faster and fairer, strengthening education quality assurance, building a positive and anti-racist culture, and improving technology and data.
Get involved: The survey is open until the end of 2025 and anyone with an interest in the Code and revalidation review can join the NMC’s Code and revalidation community of interest for updates and further opportunities to take part.
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council — Initial feedback on the Code calls for greater focus on AI, challenging discrimination and staff wellbeing (published 10 November 2025).
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