14th July 2026
Dawn Butler MP has hosted a roundtable discussion in Parliament on protecting the title of ‘nurse’, bringing together leaders of the #ProtectNurse campaign, parliamentarians and representatives from nursing organisations, regulators, professional bodies and national health charities.
The Institute of Health Visiting was delighted to join the event – Dr Karen Whittaker, iHV Senior Education Lead, joined attendees from across the nursing profession, including representatives from the Royal College of Nursing, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing.
Following the success of the #ProtectNurse campaign the government agreed to implement new legislation to legally protect the title ‘nurse’. The new measures are set to make it a criminal offence for people who are not qualified as a nurse to use the title and mislead the public. The campaign has been led by Professor Alison Leary MBE and Paul Trevatt, and championed in Parliament by Dawn Butler, Member of Parliament for Brent East.
The roundtable discussion marked an important milestone, bringing together key stakeholders to maintain momentum behind the Government’s commitment and ensure the forthcoming legislation is informed by the expertise and experience of those working across the nursing profession.
Participants also discussed the Government’s planned Call for Evidence and how professional organisations and campaigners can contribute to the consultation process – the call for evidence will explore which roles will be able to legitimately use the title of ‘nurse’ and is expected to launch in the coming months.
Discussions highlighted the importance of building on existing evidence where there is already broad consensus on professional titles. The meeting also considered recent high-profile cases involving the misuse of the title ‘nurse’, often with tragic consequences, underlining the importance of implementing the legislation without unnecessary delay to strengthen patient safety, public confidence and respect for the profession.
Participants discussed the importance of continued engagement between Government, Parliamentarians and stakeholders as the legislation progresses, to help deliver this long-overdue reform for the benefit of patients, the public and the nursing profession as a whole.
Dawn Butler MP, Member of Parliament for Brent East, said:
“I am grateful to the #ProtectNurse campaign and all the stakeholders who joined my roundtable on protecting the title of nurse. This is a vital measure to ensure patient safety, and there is a clear shared commitment to seeing this long-overdue reform delivered as quickly as possible.
I’m proud the Government adopted my Bill and committed to protecting the title of nurse – a major victory for the campaign – but the job isn’t finished. Our discussion reinforced the importance of maintaining momentum, avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring legislation is passed as quickly as possible for the benefit of patients and nurses.
I have always said that when someone says they are a nurse, the public should be able to trust that they have the right qualifications, training and accountability. I welcome the forthcoming Call for Evidence and encourage everyone with expertise in this area to engage with it, so the legislation is shaped by those who understand the profession best.
Following our roundtable discussion, I am clear: protecting the title of nurse in law cannot come soon enough and I hope Andy Burnham will make it a priority in his new government. I look forward to continuing my work with campaigners, professional bodies and Ministers towards this vital change.”
The #ProtectNurse campaign said:
“The Protect Nurse Campaign team was delighted to meet with Dawn Butler MP, who has played a pivotal role in turning this campaign for patient safety into action.
Tremendous progress has been made but whilst we still see the catastrophic consequences of the misuse of the title nurse by those without qualifications and even those with convictions or have been struck off, it makes it even more important to ensure protection of the title nurse is enshrined in UK law as soon as possible.
The Protect Nurse campaign has been working tirelessly for over five years striving to inform and educate patients, public and healthcare professionals about misuse of the title while also arguing for changes to the legislation.”
Dr Karen Whittaker, iHV Senior Education Lead said:
“In the absence of legal protection, anyone can call themselves a ‘nurse’. This leaves open the opportunity for title misuse, intentional or otherwise, by individuals and/or employers. The iHV fully supports the #ProtectNurse campaign as one strategy to assure that a person presenting as a nurse, holds the correct qualifications and professional registration for the activities required. This is necessary to protect the public and improve patient safety. We urge all health visitors to join the campaign and engage with the consultation exercise once it has opened”
Legislation to protect the title of ‘nurse’ is expected to begin its passage through Parliament in 2027, with the Government committed to implementing the change during this Parliament.
Attendees pictured in image (L-R) include;
Paul Trevatt MBE FRCN (Protect Nurse campaign), Dr Dame Crystal Oldman DBE CBE FRCN (Protect Nurse campaign), Prof Alison Leary MBE FRCN (Protect Nurse campaign), Dawn Butler MP, Lucy Muchina (RCN), The Baroness Rafferty DBE FRCN, Dr Amanda Young (QICN), Dr Karen Whittaker MBE (Institute of Health Visiting), Michael Collins (Protect Nurse campaign), Emma Westcott (NMC).
