Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Independent Support

Have you raised concerns with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or been asked to act as a witness in a fitness to practise case? If so, you have access to independent support.

We understand this may be a challenging time for you. Whether you need confidential, personalised support or practical guidance and advice, our trained team is here to help.

You can reach out to us anytime—we’re available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Calls to this number are charged at local rates.

What support do we offer?

You can talk to us about how you’re feeling, whether it’s related to an ongoing NMC investigation or the circumstances that led to it. You may also want to discuss the personal impact these events have had on you. We’re here to listen and support you through this difficult time.

If you’re looking for practical help, we can walk you through available options and offer guidance on managing the situation and its effects on your life.

If specialist support is needed, we can connect you with relevant organisations that cater to a range of needs.

Our service is free, independent, confidential, and non-judgmental. We do not share information with the NMC unless you request us to. Our priority is to provide you with the best possible support, advice, and assistance.

We do not have access to specific details about the NMC’s investigation unless you choose to share them. If you have questions regarding the investigation itself, your designated NMC contact is the best person to provide answers.

We can support you if the NMC is investigating:

  • A concern you’ve raised about a nurse, midwife or nursing associate,
  • You’re a witness in an ongoing NMC investigation, or
  • You’re a close relative or friend of a patient whose care is being reviewed.

You can reach out to us at any stage—whether at the beginning, during, or at the conclusion of the NMC process.

Once the NMC’s investigation has ended,  we can continue to support you in processing the outcome and moving forward for up to three months. If needed, we can also connect you with other organisations for long-term support.

If you contact us about a new concern that the NMC has not yet investigated or an older concern that has not been reopened, we can offer up to two telephone support calls.

When you call, there may be a brief wait, but we strive to answer all calls as quickly as possible.

A trained member of our dedicated team will take your call and ask if you have heard the data protection message.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can contact us via Relay UK by dialling 18001 before our number.

If you need support in another language during your conversation with us, we can arrange and cover the cost of an interpreter to assist you with any questions or concerns.

You are not required to share your name or any personal details unless you choose to.

The person you speak with will ask a few questions to better understand your situation. As an independent service, we will not have details of your case. You are welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and we will offer a confidential space to talk through your experience and feelings.

If you’d like more details on how we can support you, please call us on 0300 303 3709. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8 AM–6 PM (excluding bank holidays).

If you call outside these hours, a 24/7 call handler will be available to provide immediate support and can refer you to our specialist casework team, who will contact you during working hours.

There’s no obligation to take up our support—we’re happy to explain our service and how we can help so that you can make an informed decision.

The NMC has a dedicated section on their website for witnesses, where they outline how they work with those involved in investigations. Find out more: Being a witness in a fitness to practise case at the NMC – The Nursing and Midwifery Council

If you need further information or an update on the investigation, please reach out to your named contact at the NMC. If you don’t have their details, you can contact the NMC’s main helpline at 020 7637 7181.