GMC and NMC independent support

Have you raised concerns with the General Medical Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council, or are you a witness? If so, you’re able to access independent telephone support.

We understand that you’re probably going through a difficult time. Whether you think you’d benefit from confidential emotional support, or would prefer practical help and advice, our specially trained team would be happy to talk to you.

You can contact us any time – we’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our telephone numbers are:

  • 0300 303 3709 – if you’re in contact with the GMC
  • 0300 303 3731 – if you’re in contact with the NMC.

Calls to these numbers are charged at local rates.

What support do we offer?

You can talk to us about how you’re feeling. This could be about an ongoing GMC/NMC investigation into concerns, or about events that gave rise to these concerns. Or you might want to talk to somebody about the impact these events have had on you. We can listen to you and guide you through a difficult time.

If it’s practical help and advice you’d like, we can talk you through options and suggestions to manage the situation and any impact on your life.

If we think another organisation may be able to offer you specialist support we can put you in contact with them. We have an extensive knowledge of support organisations to meet a range of needs.

Our service is free, independent, confidential and non-judgemental. We won’t share any information with the GMC or NMC (unless you want us to). Our focus is providing you the best possible support, help and advice.

We won’t know any specific details about the GMC’s or NMC’s investigation, unless you choose to share it with us. Your named GMC/NMC contact is the best person to speak to if you’ve got specific questions about the investigation.

We can support you if:

  • you’ve raised a concern with either the GMC or the NMC, or
  • you’re a witness in a GMC or NMC investigation, or
  • you’re a close relative or friend of a patient whose care is being investigated

You can call us at any point, whether at the start or end of the GMC/NMC process, or at any point between. Once the GMC’s or NMC’s process has concluded, we can support you with the outcome and to move forward. This may include signposting you to other organisations for future support.

Our team member will read you our standard message regarding data protection and confidentiality, and will ask if you understand it.

Depending on when you call, you may have to wait a minute or so for your call to be answered, but we aim for everyone who calls to be answered as quickly as possible.

A trained member of our dedicated team will answer the call and will ask you if you’ve heard the data protection message.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you can contact us using Relay UK, putting 18001 ahead of the number you are calling.

If you would like help in another language during your contact with Victim Support, we are happy to arrange and pay for an interpreter to support you and answer any questions or concerns you have.

You don’t have to give your name or any personal information if you don’t want to.

The person you’re speaking to will ask you some questions to help clarify your experience. They won’t know about your case as they are independent. You can tell them in confidence what’s happened and, if you want to, talk through how you’re feeling.

If you’d like more information on how we can support you, please call us on:

0300 303 3709 – if you’re in contact with the GMC

0300 303 3731 – if you’re in contact with the NMC.

You don’t have to take up any support, we’d be happy to simply explain our services to you.

The GMC and NMC both have dedicated areas of their websites for witnesses, where they explain how they work with witnesses. Click here for the GMC, or here for the NMC.

If you’d like to know more information or an update on the investigation, please call your named contact at the GMC or NMC. If you don’t have their details, please call the relevant organisation:

  • GMC: 0161 923 6602
  • NMC: 020 7637 7181