UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, has rejected the NMC proposals to increase registration fees for nurses and midwives by 20% from next year. A survey of members by the union showed all respondents (99.36%) opposed the proposed fee increase*.
Gail Adams, UNISON head of nursing, said: “The proposals are unfair and disproportionate. Our members are very angry and have unanimously rejected the proposals.
“They’re also angry that the NMC appears unable to live within their current income and it’s unacceptable to expect nurses and midwives to pay for this.
“Nurses have suffered an average 10% cut in the value of their pay since 2010 and asking them to paymore for their registration fees is unacceptable. The majority of nurses will not be getting a pay rise this year and this is on top of a three-year pay freeze and squeeze.
“UNISON’s survey also showed that a fees rise would have a damaging impact on older nurses and midwives by affecting their decision to return to work on reduced hours. The NHS and patients cannot afford to lose so much valuable skill and experience from the service.
UNISON’s submission to the NMC consultation also calls for a review of fitness to practice referrals to ensure they are appropriate and in the interests of patient safety and public protection.
Gail Adams added: “Employers are the largest source of referrals and reviewing this would have a positive impact on reducing the number of cases and the overall cost of fitness to practice.
“We want the NMC to maintain their current registration fees and if necessary reduce the number of fitness to practice hearings. Nurses and midwives simply cannot afford to be held to ransom by this increase.”
