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Article: Burden of proof: the NMC wants to reduce the standard of proof required in misconduct cases, but what would this mean for nurses? (analysis).(discussion of objectives of Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC))
- Article from:
- Nursing Standard
- Article date:
- January 29, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Royal College of Nursing Publishing Company. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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IF YOU have ever been accused of misconduct and put in the dock at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) headquarters, you will know that it is an intimidating experience.
Hearings are conducted in the grand NMC council room with its wood-panelled walls, chandeliers and ceiling frescoes. But it is the feel of the proceedings that is most daunting. It is very much like a magistrates' court. Witnesses are sworn in--on the Bible if they wish--and there is examination and cross-examination by solicitors. A panel of three NMC council members decide on the fate of the accused using the criminal court maxim `beyond reasonable doubt'. In other words, the panellists ...