Anyone who describes themselves professionally as a nurse without the relevant qualifications and registration will be committing a crime under planned government measures.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it aimed to protect the title ‘nurse’ in law and prevent the public from being misled by unqualified individuals.
Currently, only the title ‘registered nurse’ is protected by law. Under the proposed changes, only those registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will be legally allowed to call themselves a nurse.
Anyone who breaches the new law could face prosecution and a fine of several thousand pounds.
Exemptions for Legitimate Use
Some roles that legitimately include the word ‘nurse’ will be exempt. These include veterinary nurse, dental nurse, and nursery nurse.
The announcement followed campaigning by unions and MP Dawn Butler, who introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Commons earlier this year to protect the title.
Fighting Fraud and Misinformation
Paul Rees MBE, NMC interim chief executive and registrar, emphasised that it is already an offence to claim to be a registered nurse without proper registration.
However, the current loophole means anyone, including individuals struck off for misconduct or criminal convictions, can still use the general title ‘nurse’.
This has led to several incidents where unregistered individuals provided care or advice under false pretences.
The DHSC cited one case in which a person ran a cosmetic clinic offering Botox and dermal fillers for years without NMC registration. Another involved an individual, struck off by the NMC, who continued to present herself as a nurse and gave a speech at a COVID-19 conspiracy rally, comparing NHS staff to war criminals and spreading vaccine misinformation.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said he was appalled by such behaviour.
“This new legislation will help crack down on bogus beauticians and conspiracy theorists masquerading as nurses, and those attempting to mislead patients,” he said.
Full Force of the Law
Registered nurses must complete undergraduate and postgraduate education and undergo revalidation every 3 years.
Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: “The trust that people place in registered nurses is based on the rigorous training and education required to be registered as a nurse, which gives us the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality, safe, and personalised care.”
Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, chief executive of The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, welcomed the proposal.
“People need confidence that when the person caring for them is described as a nurse, that person really is a qualified and registered nurse,” she said.
Helga Pile, head of health at UNISON, said the new law would help protect patients and the profession’s reputation.
“Charlatans and conspiracy theorists mustn’t be allowed to harm patients or damage nurses’ reputation and good standing with the public. It’s only right that anyone that tries to will now feel the full force of the law.”
Alison Morton, CEO of the Institute of Health Visiting, also backed the move, saying that “the current gap in legislation needs to be closed as a matter of urgency”.
Dr Rob Hicks is a retired NHS doctor. A well-known TV and radio broadcaster, he has written several books and has regularly contributed to national newspapers, magazines, and online. He is based in the UK.