Friday 18 May 2012 @ 16:10
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
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Unite: Health visitors “horrified” by 58 per cent hike in NMC fees
Health visitors and community nurses are “horrified” by the 58 per cent hike in the fee to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Unite, the largest union in the country, said today (Thursday, 17 May).
Unite, which embraces the Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association; the Mental Health Nurses Association; and the Society of Sexual Health Advisors, said this was ‘another tax’ on hard-pressed and dedicated community nurses already hit by a two-year pay freeze, a steep increase in pension contributions and facing the prospect of regional pay.
Unite’s lead professional officer, Obi Amadi said: “Our members are horrified by this proposed 58 per cent rise from £76 to £120-a-year – a fee they must pay, if they wish to practice their profession.
”Our members resent having to pick up the bill for the failings of the NMC – which have been highlighted by two independent reviews saying how dysfunctional the organisation is.
“The NMC has cut back on services. It has shelved work on the third part of the register and restricted the ability of NMC registrants to raise concerns about practice issues.
“This is highway robbery from a body that urgently needs to put its own house in order before dipping into the purses of nurses for outrageous fee increases.
“The proposed fee rise is out for consultation and we hope that strong representations from stakeholder organisations will cause the NMC to have a serious rethink on this.”
For further information, please contact Unite professional officer, Dave Munday on 07918 630 700
