Open call for evidence

Using the professional title ‘nurse’

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 30 July 2026

Summary

We want to hear your views on which roles or people should be allowed to use the word ‘nurse’ in their title.

This call for evidence closes at
11:59pm on 8 October 2026

Call for evidence description

We are seeking evidence that contributes towards an understanding of:

• the professions and roles that should continue to be able to use the title ‘nurse’ without risk of prosecution
• other professional titles that should be protected under the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) legislative framework

Given the territorial extent of NMC’s regulatory framework, and the fact that professions using the title ‘nurse’ may exist across different parts of the UK, we are seeking views from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as part of the call for evidence.

We welcome views from:

• the public
• regulators, including NMC
• the Royal College of Nursing
• trade unions
• employers
• the higher education sector
• charities
• other sectors where nurse is used as part of a professional title
• other professional representatives
• the social care sector

Documents

Using the professional title ‘nurse’ - call for evidence document

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Ways to respond

Respond online

Published 30 July 2026