Early Market Engagement - Provision of Design, Development and Maintenance of the Test of Competence

Tender description

We are the independent regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK, and nursing associates in England. Our vision is safe, effective and kind nursing and midwifery that improves everyone's health and wellbeing. As the independent regulator of more than 758,000 nursing and midwifery professionals, we have an important role to play in making this a reality. Our core role is to regulate. First, we promote high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England. Second, we maintain the register of professionals eligible to practise. Third, we investigate concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates - something that affects less than one percent of professionals each year. We believe in giving professionals the chance to address concerns, but we'll always take action when needed. To regulate well, we support our professions and the public. We create resources and guidance that are useful throughout people's careers, helping them to deliver our standards in practice and address new challenges. We also support people involved in our investigations, and we're increasing our visibility so people feel engaged and empowered to shape our work. Regulating and supporting our professions allows us to influence health and social care. We share intelligence from our regulatory activities and work with our suppliers to support workforce planning and sector-wide decision making. We use our voice to speak up for a healthy and inclusive working environment for our professions. The NMC are excited to announce our intention to go to market for our future test design and development supplier that can meet the existing and future needs for our test of competence. A crucial part of this contract will be for our newly appointed supplier to offer both educational and clinical services either through their organisation or through those that they contract with The over-arching objective of the NMC in exercising its functions is the protection of the public. The principal functions of the NMC are to establish the standards of education,training, conduct and performance for nurses, midwives and nursing associates and toensure the maintenance of those standards. This is to ensure that everyone we register can deliver high quality healthcare throughout their careers. The test of competence is designed to assess a candidate's ability to meet the NMC's standards of proficiency and to practise safely, effectively and in accordance with the NMC's Code of Conduct (the 'Code'). The test currently comprises two elements. The first is a computer-based test (the 'CBT') which assesses a candidate's clinical and numerical knowledge through two multiple choice test papers. The second element is the objective structured clinical examination (the 'OSCE') which is a practical, simulated assessment of the candidate's practical clinical skills and knowledge. Who can sit the Test of competence For applicants to the nursing or midwifery part of the register who were trained outside ofthe EU or the EEA, the NMC will ask candidates to demonstrate that they hold a qualification that has or could lead to registration in the candidate's home country, which is referred to as our eligibility criteria. As part of our registration process, the candidate is required to sit test of competence to demonstrate that they have the requisite standard of proficiency for admission to the nursing or midwifery part of the register. Those who were trained in the UK but who did not register their qualification with the NMC within five years of award may also choose to complete the test of competence. In addition, the NMC also requires those wishing to return to the register after a period of absence, to complete a test of competence to demonstrate they are competent and safe to practise or alternatively complete a return to practise programme. The Code contains the professional standards that NMC registered nurses, midwives andnursing associates must uphold. All registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates must act in line with the Code and while the values and principles set out in the Code may be interpreted in a range of different practice settings, they are not negotiable or discretionary. More information covering the Code can be found here: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/ There are now seven platforms within the new standards of proficiency for registered nurses with two skills and procedure annexes (A and B). The standards of proficiency for registerednurses were launched in May 2018 and came into effect on 28 January 2019. Thesestandards can be found here: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-nurses/standards-of-proficiency-forregistered-nurses/ These standards of proficiency apply to all four fields of nursing practice. However, we recognise that there is an additional depth of knowledge and skills necessary for the applicant's intended field of practice. The nursing associate standards of proficiency can be found on our website here: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-nursing-associates/ Our midwifery standards were updated in 2020, and you can find more details about our midwifery standards here: Standards of proficiency for midwives - The Nursing and Midwifery Council (https://www.nmc.org.uk ) The Supplier shall at all times ensure that the test of competence is designed and able to be delivered in such a way as to always comply with any applicable anti-discrimination legislation and with the NMC's Equality and Diversity "Valuing Diversity" Policy (which may be amended from time to time).