Professional regulation in nursing. Part 2: Political change

The current Government came to power in 1997. In their manifesto, changes in ideology towards the provision of health and the place of those who provided health care were evident. As well as the issue of acceptable standards of healthcare provision, the issue of the regulation of nurses and other health workers was perused. This article reviews the political manifestos of 1997 and 2001, and reflects on the changes averred to in the context of the effects to the nursing profession in respect of professional regulation and central control by the Government of the profession as a whole. A conclusion is reached that political changes, not based on theoretical models of care, but rather on reports commissioned by Government, have resulted in far reaching consequences for nursing. This includes the replacement of the regulatory body (United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting) with a new body (Nursing and Midwifery Council) and the inclusion of public persons into the management of nurses to the extent that for the first time, lay persons would have an influence in the outcomes of professional disciplinary hearings and sanctions.