The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) says it failed to protect the public by not carrying out required checks on some nurses and midwives who had broken the law and should have been barred from practice. Multiple reports say the NMC has admitted that its errors were “completely and utterly unacceptable” and has apologised for the failing. According to the Guardian, the regulator’s mistakes mean around 15 professionals may have continued to work in healthcare in the UK for up to 12 years after they should have been prevented from treating patients. The Guardian describes the issue as potentially dangerous and links it to shortcomings in the NMC’s compliance or monitoring processes. The Daily Mail reports the same NMC apology and the length of time involved, citing that the individuals in question should have been banned but were instead allowed to practise. The reporting focuses on the regulator’s responsibility for missing or not completing checks, rather than detailing the specific actions of the individuals, and it highlights the period during which the public may not have been adequately protected.