NMC Nursing & Midwifery Council

The Nursing and Midwifery Council is an organisation set up by Parliament to ensure nurses, midwives and health visitors provide high standards of care to their patients and clients.
To achieve its aims, the NMC:

• maintains a register of qualified nurses, midwives and health visitors

• sets standards for education, practice and conduct

• provides advice for nurses, midwives and health visitors

• considers allegations of misconduct or unfitness to practice due to ill health.

www.nmc-uk.org

MHAC Mental Health Act Commission

The MHAC’s functions include:

• keeping under review the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983 in respect of patients liable to be detained under the Act

• visiting and interviewing, in private, patients detained under the Act in hospitals and mental nursing homes

• investigating complaints which fall within the Commission's remit

• reviewing decisions to withhold the mail of patients detained in high security hospitals

• appointing medical practitioners and others to give second opinions in cases where this is required by the Act

• publishing and laying before Parliament a report every two years

• monitoring the implementation of the Code of Practice and proposing amendments to Ministers.

www.mhac.trent.nhs.uk

NHS National Health Service

The NHS was set up in 1948 to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, not the ability to pay. It is made up of a wide range of health professionals, support workers and organisations. The NHS aims to bring about the highest level of physical and mental health for all citizens, within the resources available, by:

• promoting health and preventing ill-health

• diagnosing and treating injury and disease

• caring for those with a long-term illness and disability, who require the services of the NHS.

www.nhs.uk