First and foremost, patient safety

This editorial, where it can avoid it, will not be discussing the former neonatal nurse – enough will be written about her elsewhere. Consequent to events, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is now putting in place actions to have her name removed from the register.

The first edition of the Code of Professional Conduct was published in 1983 by the United Kingdom Central Council, predecessor to the NMC. This brief document made clear that:

‘Each registered nurse, midwife and health visitor shall act, at all times, in such a manner as to: safeguard and promote the interests of individual patients and clients; serve the interests of society; justify public trust and confidence and uphold and enhance the good standing and reputation of the professions.’

This was a clear proclamation as to how nurses, midwives and health visitors must act at all times. The first edition and the current revised Code (NMC, 2018) apply to all registrants, which includes patient-facing, hands-on practitioners, as well as anyone in managerial positions, in research or teaching. The Code offers registrants an extended definition of the phrase ‘professional accountability’ and emphasises the primacy of the interests of patients and clients. It is key the professions maintain good standing and reputation to maintain the trust and confidence of the public.