The British Association of Medical Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN) support Dawn Butler, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Brent East, to introduce a 10 Minute Rule Bill in Parliament, to legally protect the title 'nurse':
"Only an Act of Parliament can put an end to the shocking state of affairs in Britain today, that allows anyone in a uniform to pretend they are a nurse. BAMAN is particularly mindful of the proliferation of those who prey on patients when they seek appearance related treatments, such as happens in the medical aesthetics sector, where an industry standard in all areas of provision and manpower, has unleashed growing numbers of those claiming to be nurses on patients, despite the fact that they are not nurses at all. This is at variance with the reasonable specialist nursing and medical standard patients and the public require when they seek medical forms of anti-ageing regenerative care.
"As this area of nursing falls within the remit of specialist nursing practice in plastic surgery, dermatology and wellness-age-management nursing, BAMAN has observed, that over the past 25 years since nurses have been practising in this field, it has fallen prey to opportunists, like no other nursing specialism, where those pretending they are nurses engage in specialist nursing practice. This travesty has caused patients to suffer and has lead to a fervent resolve by BAMAN nurses to add their voices to the statement issued by The Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Backing the RCN’s call to protect the title ‘nurse’, BAMAN wholeheartedly endorses the legislation initiative lead by the Honourable Dawn Butler MP. Her effort is a crucial step towards highlighting the importance of the word ‘ nurse’, not only because legislation must protect legitimate nurses, but BAMAN recognises that only this Bill will invigorate the integrity of nursing status and trust.
"The title ‘nurse’ signifies to patients and the public the high level of compassionate and skilled care which emits from the education, training, professional competence and standards that exist in British nursing. It is imperative therefore, that the title ‘nurse’ is reserved only for those who meet the rigorous qualifications and standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and particularly, BAMAN must emphasise, that the title ‘nurse’ ought to be protected exclusively for registered nurses on the NMC Register, who abide by The Code. Protecting the title 'nurse’ is one of the most critical components to ensure high-quality healthcare for all.
"We therefore urge all members of Parliament to support this bill and to reinforce the professional standards, which the title ‘Nurse’ represents. This will not only ensure that Britain is in line with international best practices by protecting the title, but thereby give patients confidence that those who provide their nursing care, meet all the exacting professional nursing standards, which are central to optimised quality care. Protecting the title ‘nurse’ represents the most vital component in nursing history this century. It will not only support the call of Britain’s 750,000 registered nurses who care for patients, but it will ensure trust in our healthcare system to give patients and the public confidence and trust that those providing nursing care meet the required rigorous professional nursing standards."
