Remediation in NMBI cases
Being told that a complaint has been made about you to NMBI can feel overwhelming, especially when you are still working shifts and caring for patients. The process is set by the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, as amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020. A complaint is the start of a process to establish the facts, not a finding, and the Preliminary Proceedings Committee can conclude a complaint without any inquiry.
The 2020 amendments, in force for NMBI since 1 August 2021, give the Preliminary Proceedings Committee power to request undertakings and consents. These can include taking such steps as the Board specifies, which may include a course of education or training. NMBI's Guidance on Sanctions also makes clear that insight and remedial action are taken into account, and warns that mere acknowledgement of the findings does not necessarily demonstrate insight.
Our courses are written for registered nurses and registered midwives in Ireland, and the nursing-specific courses are built on the NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics that came into effect on 14 February 2025. They are CPD: NMBI does not approve remediation courses, and no course can guarantee an outcome. Used with advice from your union or a solicitor, they help you understand the concern, change your practice and record the evidence.
Before you start
No regulator vets or recommends remediation course providers, and no course can guarantee an outcome. Take advice from your indemnity provider, union or solicitor, and agree with them which learning is relevant to your case.
Common concerns and the courses that address them
Pick courses that match the concern raised against you. A short, targeted set of courses with honest reflection is more convincing than a stack of unrelated certificates.
Medication administration errors
Wrong dose, wrong patient or omitted medicines are common concerns. Learning should cover safe medication practice, error prevention and the human factors that led to the error.
Record-keeping and handover
Late, incomplete or inaccurate notes, and handovers that miss key information, need learning that shows how you now document and hand over care safely.
Working outside scope of practice
Carrying out a task you were not competent or authorised to perform raises a scope concern. Learning should show how you now decide whether an activity is within your scope.
Failure to escalate or recognise deterioration
Missed observations, late escalation or failure to act on safeguarding concerns call for learning on recognising deterioration and raising concerns.
Communication, dignity and respect
Complaints about attitude, disrespectful language or poor communication with patients and families are measured against the respect principle of the Code.
Boundaries and social media
Personal relationships with patients, inappropriate messages or social media posts need learning that shows where professional boundaries sit and why they matter.
Confidentiality and consent
Accessing records without a care reason, sharing information inappropriately or proceeding without valid consent need learning on confidentiality and consent.
Honesty, candour and probity
Concerns about falsified records, covering up an error or dishonesty with an employer need learning on probity, open disclosure and rebuilding trust.
How an NMBI complaint progresses
These are the main stages under Parts 7 to 9 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 as amended. Your union representative or solicitor can confirm where your case sits.
- 1
Complaint to the chief executive officer
Complaints can be made on grounds including professional misconduct, poor professional performance, failure to comply with the Code, relevant medical disability, failure to comply with conditions, undertakings or consents, controlled drug irregularities and certain convictions. The chief executive officer may refuse a complaint that is not made in good faith or is frivolous or vexatious.
- 2
Investigation and your response
A case officer manages the complaint. You receive a copy of the complaint and supporting documents and are invited to respond, although you are not obliged to. You also receive all documentation the PPC obtains during its investigation.
- 3
Preliminary Proceedings Committee
The PPC has eleven members, and the majority may not be or have been nurses or midwives. It can refer the complaint to the Fitness to Practise Committee for a sworn oral inquiry, accept an undertaking, recommend no further action, refer the matter to another body or recommend mediation or other informal means.
- 4
Undertakings and consents
Under section 57A the PPC can ask you to undertake not to repeat the conduct, demonstrate your competencies to the Board's satisfaction, take steps specified by the Board such as a course of education or training, consent to medical treatment or consent to being censured by the Board. If you agree, the complaint does not go to inquiry.
- 5
Fitness to Practise inquiry
NMBI says an inquiry usually takes place within six to ten months of the PPC's decision. A three-member subcommittee, two lay members and one nurse or midwife, hears the evidence. The burden of proof lies with the chief executive officer, to the standard of beyond reasonable doubt, and you can give evidence, call witnesses and cross-examine.
- 6
The Board decides on sanction
If findings are made, the subcommittee reports to the Board with its recommendations. You can attend the Board meeting, in person or remotely, to address the Board on sanction before it decides.
- 7
High Court
You can appeal to the High Court within 21 days of receiving notice of the Board's decision. Sanctions other than advice, admonishment or censure must be confirmed by the High Court before they take effect.
What makes the NMBI process distinctive
A few features of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 shape how you should approach a complaint and any remediation.
Training can be part of an undertaking
Both section 57A (PPC stage) and section 65 (inquiry stage) allow NMBI to ask you to take steps specified by the Board, which may include a course of education or training. Learning you have already started can help you discuss these options from a stronger position.
Section 58 immediate suspension
If the Board considers it necessary to protect the public, it may apply ex parte to the High Court for an order suspending your registration for a specified period. The application is heard otherwise than in public unless the Court decides otherwise.
Inquiries are usually public
Inquiries are heard in public unless the subcommittee decides that part or all of it should be held in private, and NMBI says private hearings are only granted in exceptional cases.
Insight must be more than acknowledgement
NMBI's Guidance on Sanctions asks the Board to start with the least restrictive sanction. It lists insight and remedial action among mitigating factors, and lack of insight, blame-shifting and failure to remediate among aggravating factors.
Restoration after cancellation
If registration is cancelled, you can later ask the Board to restore it under section 79, unless you are prohibited from applying. You can make submissions, and the Board may attach conditions to restored registration.
Recommended NMBI remediation courses
All 41Each course is self-paced and online. You get scenario-based questions with an 80% pass mark, reflection prompts and a certificate of completion showing your name, the course title and the estimated learning time.
Remediation for Fitness to Practise
Designing, Evidencing, and Sustaining Individualised Remediation in Irish Healthcare
Insight for Fitness to Practise
Understanding Conduct, Impact, and Change in Irish Healthcare Practice
Reflection for Fitness to Practise
Developing Genuine Reflective Practice, Insight, and Evidence of Learning in Irish Healthcare
Professionalism and Professional Standards for Nurses and Midwives
Applying the 2025 NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics in Irish Practice
Ethics and Ethical Standards for Nurses and Midwives
Applying the NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and Its Six Principles in Irish Nursing and Midwifery Practice
Working Within Scope of Practice
Knowing what you may safely do, and what to do when you are asked to go beyond it
Ensuring No Repeat of Misconduct or Mistake in Future Practice
Reducing the Risk of Recurrence and Demonstrating Sustainable Improvement in Irish Healthcare
Medication Safety and Error Prevention
Preventing medication error and responding safely when it occurs
Rebuilding Trust of Patients, the Public, and the Healthcare Regulator
Restoring Trustworthiness in the Irish Healthcare Context
Building evidence of insight and remediation
NMBI's Guidance on Sanctions says insight means showing you understand the underlying problem, have tried to address it and are working to prevent a recurrence. Evidence you might gather, with advice from your union or solicitor, includes:
What to put in your bundle
- A reflective statement linked to the relevant principles of the NMBI Code, showing what happened, its impact and what you now do differently
- Certificates from targeted courses that match the concern, with the estimated learning time, started early
- Reflective notes written during each course and dated to show your learning over time
- Feedback from a clinical nurse manager, preceptor or supervisor who has observed your practice since the concern
- Completed competency assessments or supervised practice records relevant to the concern
- A personal learning plan with specific goals, actions and review dates
- References from colleagues who know about the concern and can speak to your current practice
- Evidence of changes you have made, such as checklists, documentation templates or escalation prompts
- Records of any relevant local training, such as medication management or safeguarding updates
Writing your reflection
- What exactly happened, and what was my role?
- What was the impact, or possible impact, on the patient and their family?
- Which principles of the NMBI Code apply, and how did I fall short?
- What have I learned, and what do I now do differently on shift?
- How am I making sure the change lasts?
When to start remediation
NMBI's Guidance on Sanctions lists early admission, insight and remedial action as mitigating factors, and failure to remediate as aggravating. Because the PPC can ask for undertakings, including a course of education or training, early in the process, it makes sense to begin relevant learning soon after you are notified of a complaint rather than waiting for an inquiry date.
Speak to your union or a solicitor before you send any response. Then choose two or three courses that match the concern, complete them carefully and keep your reflections. Over the following weeks, collect feedback and records that show the learning has changed how you practise.
Remediation and NMBI's future competence scheme
Part 11 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, on maintenance of professional competence, has not yet been commenced, and NMBI expects to publish its finalised Professional Competence Scheme in November 2026. Until then, the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics already requires you to maintain your competence and recognise and address limits in it.
Building good habits now helps on both fronts. A dated record of learning, reflection and changes to practice is useful evidence if a concern is raised, and it will put you in a good position when the formal scheme is introduced.
Getting the right support
Our courses support your learning; they are not legal advice. Seek legal advice or help from your trade union as soon as possible. Depending on your membership, that may be the INMO, the PNA or SIPTU. A solicitor experienced in professional regulation can also advise you, particularly before you agree to undertakings or consents.
Remediation mistakes to avoid
- Choosing generic courses that have nothing to do with the concern
- Writing a reflection that only acknowledges the findings without showing understanding of why it happened
- Blaming staffing, colleagues or systems without recognising your own part
- Agreeing to undertakings or consents before taking advice from your union or a solicitor
- Leaving all learning until shortly before an inquiry
- Failing to show how learning has changed your practice on the ward or in the community
Core course
Remediation for Fitness to Practise
Our core remediation course: 4 hours estimated learning time and 30 scenario questions on planning, evidencing and sustaining remediation, with a certificate when you pass.
NMBI remediation: common questions
Does NMBI approve remediation courses?
No. NMBI does not vet or recommend remediation courses. Our courses are CPD. What counts is whether your learning matches the concern and whether you can show it has changed your practice.
Can NMBI ask me to complete a course?
Yes. Under section 57A at the PPC stage and section 65 at the inquiry stage, you can be asked to take steps specified by the Board, which may include a course of education or training, as part of an undertaking.
Will completing courses stop my case going to inquiry?
No course can guarantee an outcome. The PPC and Fitness to Practise Committee decide on the evidence. NMBI's Guidance on Sanctions does treat insight and remedial action as mitigating factors, so relevant learning can be part of what is considered.
What sanctions can NMBI impose?
Under section 69 the Board can impose advice, admonishment or censure in writing; censure with a fine up to 2,000 euro; conditions on registration; transfer to another division; suspension for a specified period; cancellation; or a prohibition on applying for restoration for a specified period.
Are NMBI inquiries held in public?
Usually, yes. Inquiries are heard in public unless the subcommittee decides that part or all of the hearing should be in private, which NMBI says is only granted in exceptional cases.
Can I appeal an NMBI decision?
Yes. You can appeal to the High Court within 21 days of receiving notice of the Board's decision. Sanctions other than advice, admonishment or censure need High Court confirmation before they take effect.
Is CPD mandatory for nurses and midwives in Ireland?
Not as a fixed hours requirement yet. Part 11 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 has not been commenced, and NMBI expects to publish its finalised Professional Competence Scheme in November 2026. The Code still requires you to maintain your competence.
Which course should I start with?
Start with the course closest to the concern, such as Medication Safety and Error Prevention or Working Within Scope of Practice, then use Insight for Fitness to Practise or Reflection for Fitness to Practise to structure your reflection.
Official sources
This page was checked against Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland guidance in October 2026. Processes and guidance change, so always confirm the current position with the regulator and your adviser. This page is general information, not legal advice.