Public safety 'endangered by toxic nursing regulator'

Official report to find evidence of bullying and gaslighting

- REBECCA THOMAS

A damning report into the UK's nursing and midwifery regulator will find the body is endangering the public due to its toxic culture and failing to address widespread racism within its ranks, The Independent can reveal.

An explosive review into allegations that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has a "deep-seated toxic culture" is set to be published next week and concerns over public safety will be one of many shocking revelations it will deliver, The Independent understands.

Staff who have given evidence to the report and also spoken to The Independent, have reported being "gaslighted" and intimidated or bullied when trying to report concerns about public safety to leaders. The NMC regulates more than 800,000 nurses and midwives across the UK and is one of 10 official professional regulators of health and care workers.

The review, carried out by Nazir Afzal, a former chief crown prosecutor, and Rise Associates, was commissioned following reports by The Independent revealing whistleblower allegations that racism and sexism within the NMC are leading to complaints against nurses going "unchecked".

The review covers responses from around 1,000 staff and former staff, who were asked about the organisation's culture in a survey, and hundreds of staff interviews.

The Independent understands the review has found evidence supporting the whistleblower's accusations.

Those allegations, reported in October, included that a "culture of fear" and "deep-seated toxic conduct" within the NMC was leading to failed investigations and preventing staff from speaking out. These included flawed investigations into nurses who'd had sexual assault allegations made against them, this newspaper found.