Regulating bodies set the standards for care for professions such as Nursing, Midwifery, Teaching, Psychotherapy, and Counselling. An example of the regulating bodies is The Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Nursing and Midwifery Council sets standards and guidance for practice. It is essential that they ensure that their standards and guidance, which need to be applied in practice, are easily accessible to individuals working across the UK. The Nursing and Midwifery Council regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands. All midwives practicing in the UK must be registered with the NMC, and are expected to demonstrate high standards of practice. All qualified nurses and midwives must follow The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards and guidance and be fit to practice so that patients and the public can trust them with their health and wellbeing. Being fit to practice, means that the nurse or midwife must have the skills and knowledge to do the job effectively. The Nursing and Midwifery Council set a range of standards and guidance covering areas of practice, for example, medicines management and record keeping.
Another example of the regulating bodies is the General Pharmaceutical Council. In order to practice in Great Britain, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Anyone who is not registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council but practices as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician is breaking the law and can be prosecuted. Their role is to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety, and wellbeing of patients, the public and those who use pharmacy services. The main role of the General Pharmaceutical Council is to maintain a register of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises. They set standards for education and training, and