Swann Backs 'Nurse' Title Protection

Robin Swann MP has welcomed the move by the Government to adopt a bill ensuring the job title ‘nurse’ to be legally protected - to enhance patient safety, protect public trust and uphold respect for the nursing profession by preventing misuse of the title. This follows a campaign on the topic by the Royal College of Nursing and Dawn Butler MP.

Mr Swann recently signed an Early Day Motion which called on the House of Commons to note with concern that:

“… the job title of nurse is not currently a legally protected term, despite the high levels of public trust placed in the profession; further notes that, while the title of registered nurse is protected, the widespread and unregulated use of the term nurse by individuals without appropriate qualifications and registration on parts one and two of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register poses a serious risk to patient safety and undermines the integrity of the profession…”

The motion goes on to say that the House:

“…supports the Protect Nurse campaign backed by professional bodies, patient safety organisations, unions and the Royal College of Nursing; believes exemptions should apply for the use of the designations such as veterinary nurse and dental nurse; and calls on the Government to support the Nurse (Use of Title) Bill in the name of the hon. Member for Brent East to include nurse as a protected professional title, thereby ensuring that only those registered on part one and two of the NMC registers may legally use the term.”

The South Antrim MP said:

“Nurses are so fundamental and essential to our health service. I know how hard they work and how invaluable they are – that’s why that title must be protected and regulated.

“I’m very pleased that the have Government agreed, and that they are to take forward a bill to protect our nurses and their title. I’d encourage every MPs to back this important legislation, and I thank the Royal College of Nurses for the hard work which they have done to bring this issue to the fore.”