Explanatory note

The Rules approved by this Order are made by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and will have effect throughout the United Kingdom. The Rules provide for all circumstances in which, and the means by which, a nurse, midwife or health visitor may be (a) removed from the register or (b) restored to it. The main provisions of the Rules are those concerned with removal from the register for misconduct or because the fitness of the practitioner to practise is seriously impaired by reason of her physical or mental condition. Questions of misconduct are to be decided by the Professional Conduct Committee of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting whereas questions of fitness are to be decided by the Health Committee of the same Council. The Rules provide for the investigation of misconduct by the National Boards or by Committees set up for the purpose by the Boards concerned. Questions of fitness are to be considered, in the first instance, by Professional Screeners chosen from a panel of Council members who have been selected for the purpose. Applications to be restored to the register are to be made to the Professional Conduct Committee or the Health Committee, whichever directed the removal.