QAA awarded contract to deliver quality assurance for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

QAA is pleased to announce that, following a competitive public tender process, we have been awarded the contract for the provision of the quality assurance of nursing and midwifery education by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

This contract is scheduled to start on 1 September 2024. It will apply to the delivery of quality assurance processes, including approval, modification and monitoring activities, in nursing and midwifery education across the four nations of the United Kingdom. The initial duration of the contract is three years.

Over the coming months, QAA will be putting in place preparations for the implementation of the management of these services. The approach to quality assurance will be in line with internationally recognised good practice and the NMC’s quality assurance framework and processes.

'We are looking forward to working closely with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to ensure that standards in nursing and midwifery education are maintained, and that students continue to receive a high quality education,' said Vicki Stott, Chief Executive of QAA. 'There are clear synergies between our complementary areas of expertise, underpinned by a shared ethos of public service and commitment to upholding excellence in professional practice. We very much look forward to performing this key role in supporting the vital and hugely respected work of the NMC.'

'Education quality assurance is one of the core ways we can deliver on our primary purpose of protecting the public,' added Sam Foster, the NMC's Executive Director of Professional Practice. 'It ensures that future professionals join our register with the skills and knowledge they need to practise and that people using services can have confidence in the professionals delivering their care.

'We look forward to working with the Quality Assurance Agency as they support us with our work, and we’re extremely thankful to Mott MacDonald for their valued partnership over recent years. There will be changeover period between the two providers over the coming months so that we can assure the continuity of our quality assurance process - we’ll keep people informed as this progresses.'