As the Deputy is aware, two reports have recently been published by the Board which identify historical organisational and financial governance shortcomings in its operation. The NMBI has acknowledged that appropriate operational and governance procedures were not always properly applied. The Board is already implementing the reports' recommendations and is committed to ensuring that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent these events from re-occurring. A new President and a new interim CEO have been appointed and the post of Director of Finance and Corporate Services has been advertised.
The Department continues to work closely with the NMBI to ensure that enhanced corporate governance procedures are implemented and that robust management and operational processes are introduced. Monthly operational and quarterly governance meetings take place between the Department and the Board and any matters arising are addressed on an on-going basis.
The Board is already implementing the reports' recommendations in relation to full compliance with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies and the Department of Health's Framework for Corporate and Financial Governance for Regulatory Bodies under its remit.
On the issue of fitness to practice, the Crowe Horwath report refers to the heavy workload involved in dealing with such matters and to it being extremely resource intensive. The report states that Board members dealing with fitness to practice cases must commit a lot of time to reading extensive documentation, thereby limiting the time available to consider other matters relating to the governance of the NMBI.
The Board will address the report's findings as part of the detailed change management programme currently being undertaken. It will review its own legislative provisions and those of the other statutory regulators, especially the operational experience gained across the professions, and will identify what improvements are needed to ensure that its fitness to practice provisions are fit for purpose.
The action being taken by the NMBI on foot of these reports will provide the Framework for the Board to perform its functions efficiently and effectively, in an open and transparent manner, while delivering on its core responsibilities of public protection and the promotion of the nursing and midwifery professions.
