Consistent training

Source — verbatim from the inquiry

Published evidence summary

Response — verbatim from government

Evidence trail — what's actually happened since

• 1 Apr 2025 DHSC and NHS England implementation update provided to the Thirlwall Inquiry (April 2025). This is the government's own account of progress, submitted to the inquiry. Reviewed extent of implementation: Partially implemented - Closed. The NMC considered this recommendation in line with its core role to regulate. In terms of assessment and examination, its role is to set and promote high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England and quality assure their education programmes. It does not design or set curricula or, for example, have degree awarding powers. With this in mind the NMC looked at the implications of setting an 'aptitude test'. This involved reviewing best practice across the sector and similar regulatory tests used by other professional regulators. Research showed that aptitude testing in this area could be beneficial. Given the size of our register, the number of students involved (at the time c100,000 students) and NMC priorities at that time, affordability, scalability and cost to applicant / registrant were recognised as substantial barriers. Furthermore, the NMC recognised that the aptitude test failed to take account of the fact that for its students 50 per cent of learning takes place in theory and 50 per cent takes place in practice. Stakeholder feedback also supported its decision that this was not the right thing to do. In 2016 the NMC undertook a comprehensive review of standards. Its pre-reg standards were updated in 2018 and 2019 which emphasise the importance of compassionate and person-centred care – its programme learning outcomes must reflect these, which students must meet in order to join our register - thereby negating the need for a specific aptitude test in this area. The NMC continues to regularly review its Code, standards and regulatory requirements as part of its governance cycle. The NMC's role in relation to assessment and examination, is to set and promote high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England and quality assure their education programmes. It does not design or set curricula or, for example, have degree awarding powers. The NMC continues to regularly review its Code, standards and regulatory requirements as part of its governance cycle. Please see our response to recommendation 187 for update on the NHS Long-term workforce plan. Source →
• 6 Feb 2023 · Academic Review - Ten Years After Francis Research published 2023 marking ten years since the Francis Report found mixed results. Structural and legislative changes largely delivered (duty of candour, FPPR, CQC overhaul, revalidation, Freedom to Speak Up Guardians). However, cultural change not fully embedded; understaffing, fear of speaking up, and poor complaint handling persist in parts of the NHS. View source → Reasonable Progress
• 1 Apr 2016 · NMC - Nursing Revalidation NMC Revalidation launched 1 April 2016 in direct response to Francis Report. All nurses and midwives must revalidate every three years. Replaced the Post-Registration Education and Practice system. Updated NMC Code published March 2015 strengthened requirements around candour and raising concerns. View source → Confirmed Completed
• 31 Mar 2015 · NMC - Updated Professional Code (2015) NMC published updated Code of Professional Standards for nurses and midwives (March 2015). Standard 14 specifically requires nurses and midwives to be open and candid with all service users about all aspects of care, including when mistakes or harm have occurred. View source → Confirmed Completed
• 11 Feb 2015 · UK Government - Culture Change in the NHS Government published "Culture Change in the NHS" (Cm 9009) reporting progress on all 290 recommendations. Key achievements: 19 hospitals placed in special measures; those trusts recruited 109 additional doctors and 1,805 additional nurses; 129 board-level changes made; excess avoidable deaths fell by 450 in less than a year. View source → Good Progress
• 19 Nov 2013 · UK Government - Hard Truths Vol 1 & 2 Government published "Hard Truths: The Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) in two volumes. Vol 1 set out new actions; Vol 2 provided detailed response to each of the 290 recommendations. Approximately 204 of 290 recommendations were fully accepted. View source → Good Progress

Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.