Raising concerns:
Guidance for nurses
and midwives
Raising concerns
Guidance to support
nurses and midwives
who wish to raise or
escalate concerns about
the safety or wellbeing of
people in their care, and
their families
What do we mean by guidance?
Rules and standards
• Nurses and midwives must comply
Guidance
• Best practice that nurses
and midwives should follow
Information
• Supports nurses and midwives in practice
The purpose of the guidance
The guidance supports nurses and
midwives who wish to raise concerns about
the wellbeing of people in their care, and:
• explains the processes you should follow
• provides information about relevant
legislation
• identifies sources of confidential support
and advice
Who is this guidance for?
•
•
•
•
All nurses and midwives
Pre-registration nursing and
midwifery students
Applicable to all practice environments
The principles apply to all healthcare
professionals
Your role in raising concerns
•
The code (NMC, 2008)
sets out the core standards
that we expect of nurses
and midwives and to which
we hold them accountable
The code: Managing risk
•
You must act without delay if you believe
that you, a colleague or anyone else may
be putting someone at risk
• You must inform someone in authority if
you experience problems that prevent
you working within this code or other
nationally agreed standards
The code: Managing risk
•
You must report your concerns in writing
if problems in the environment of care are
putting people at risk
• As a professional, you are personally
accountable for actions and omissions in
your practice and must always be able to
justify your decisions
Raising a concern or
making a complaint?
Raising a concern
• Worried about an issue, wrongdoing or risk
• Witnessed, observed, or been made aware
of a risk or unsatisfactory situation
Making a compliant
• Complaint about your personal treatment,
and seeking resolution for yourself
If you are unsure, seek advice
Concerns may include
•
Delivery of care
• Risks to health and safety
• Environment of care
• Fitness to practise
• Misuse or unavailability of clinical equipment
What examples can you think
of in your workplace?
Raising concerns:
A staged process
Escalate your concern to
a regulatory organisation
Escalate your concern
internally to a higher level
Raise your concern internally
with a designated person
Raise your concern with
your line manager
Key principles
•
•
•
•
•
•
Put the interests of patients and clients first
Take immediate or prompt action
‘Doing nothing’ is not an option
Refer to local policies and safeguarding
procedures
Don’t go it alone – seek independent,
confidential advice
Keep an accurate record
Use the guidance to
help safeguard the public
•
Actively promote and discuss this
guidance in your workplace
• Look at the case studies and team
discussion notes in your team
• [Insert other ideas on how your workplace
can use the guidance]
• [Insert name and contact details of the
nominated contact person in your workplace]
Use the guidance to
help safeguard the public
Visit www.nmc-uk.org/raisingconcerns to:
• provide us with feedback on how the
guidance is received and working in
practice
• download case studies and discussion
notes for your workplace or team
Thank you
Your nominated contact is:
[insert contact details of
nominated person in your
organisation]