The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Midwifery and Practice Committees) (Constitution) Rules Order of Council 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order approves Rules made by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (“NMC”) in respect of the constitutions of its four statutory committees: the Midwifery Committee, the Investigating Committee, the Conduct and Competence Committee and the Health Committee. The latter three committees are known collectively as the Practice Committees.

Part 1 of these rules contains introductory provisions, which include a power enabling the NMC to obtain the assistance of its Appointments Board in connection with functions relating to the appointment of members of its statutory committees.

Part 2 contains the provisions specific to the Midwifery Committee or to the Practice Committees. Rule 4 deals with the composition and quorum of the Midwifery Committee and rule 5 with that committee’s chairing arrangements. Rule 6 deals with the composition and quorum of the Practice Committees and rule 7 deals with those committees’ chairing arrangements.

Part 3 contains common provisions relating to the disqualification from appointment as members of one of the statutory committees, and the grounds for suspending them or removing them from office. Rule 11 ensures that the need to remove a Practice Committee member from office, or the fact of having suspended or removed such a member, does not invalidate proceedings in which that member has participated. There is a consequential amendment to other NMC Rules in Part 4.