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This Code should be considered together with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s rules, standards, guidance and advice available from www.nmc-uk.org.

Make the care of people your first concern, treating them as individuals and respecting their dignity

Treat people as individuals

You must treat people as individuals and respect their dignity

You must not discriminate in any way against those in your care

You must treat people kindly and considerately

You must act as an advocate for those in your care, helping them to access relevant health and social care, information and support

Respect people’s confidentiality

You must respect people’s right to confidentiality

You must ensure people are informed about how and why information is shared by those who will be providing their care

You must disclose information if you believe someone may be at risk of harm, in line with the law of the country in which you are practising

Collaborate with those in your care

You must listen to the people in your care and respond to their concerns and preferences

You must support people in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health

You must recognize and respect the contribution that people make to their own care and well-being

You must make arrangements to meet people’s language and communication needs

You must share with people, in a way they can understand, the information they want or need to know about their health

Ensure you gain consent

You must ensure that you gain consent before you begin any treatment or care

You must respect and support people’s rights to accept or decline treatment and care

You must uphold people’s rights to be fully involved in decisions about their care

You must be aware of the legislation regarding mental capacity, ensuring that people who lack capacity remain at the centre of decision making and are fully safeguarded

You must be able to demonstrate that you have acted in someone’s best interests if you have provided care in an emergency

Maintain clear professional boundaries

You must refuse any gifts, favours or hospitality that might be interpreted as an attempt to gain preferential treatment

You must not ask for or accept loans from anyone in your care or anyone close to them

You must establish and actively maintain clear sexual boundaries at all times with people in your care, their families and carers

Work with others to protect and promote the health and well-being of those in your care, their families and carers, and the wider community

Share information with your colleagues

You must keep your colleagues informed when you are sharing the care of others

You must work with colleagues to monitor the quality of your work and maintain the safety of those in your care

You must facilitate students and others to develop their competence

Work effectively as part of a team

You must work co-operatively within teams and respect the skills, expertise and contributions of your colleagues

You must be willing to share your skills and experience for the benefit of your colleagues

You must consult and take advice from colleagues when appropriate

You must treat your colleagues fairly and without discrimination

You must make a referral to another practitioner when it is in the best interests of someone in your care

Delegate effectively

You must establish that anyone you delegate to is able to carry out your instructions

You must confirm that the outcome of any delegated task meets required standards

You must make sure that everyone you are responsible for is supervised and supported

Manage risk

You must act without delay if you believe that you, a colleague or anyone else may be putting someone at risk

You must inform someone in authority if you experience problems that prevent you working within this Code or other nationally agreed standards

You must report your concerns in writing if problems in the environment of care are putting people at risk

Provide a high standard of practice and care at all times

Use the best available evidence