House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Nursing – Professional Regulation
12 May 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care
Proposed by Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The government proposes to protect the title 'nurse' in law through amendments to existing legislation.
- The amendments will criminalise the misuse of the title 'nurse' by those not registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- The legislation will include exemptions for legitimate use of the title by other professions.
Issue summary
The government proposes to protect the title 'nurse' in law to ensure only registered individuals with the Nursing and Midwifery Council can use it.
Action requested
The Government intends to amend the criminal offence of ‘misuse of professional titles’ to include the title 'nurse', as part of its professional regulation reform programme, which will modernise legislative frameworks for key health bodies. The legislation will also include exemptions for legitimate use by other professions.
Key facts
- Dawn Butler MP and the #ProtectNurse campaign raised concerns about misuse of the term ‘nurse’.
- Currently, only the title 'registered nurse' is protected in law.
- This amendment will be part of a professional regulation reform programme during this Parliament.
- A new protection of title offence will make it illegal for non-registered individuals to call themselves nurses.