As someone who has spent years immersed in the world of pre-employment screening and safeguarding within health and care services, I welcome the government’s decision to protect the title “nurse” in law. It’s a move that’s long overdue and one that finally aligns legislation with the public’s expectations.

Let’s be clear: when someone calls themselves a nurse, patients assume that person has the right qualifications, is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and is accountable to a strict professional code. But as recent cases have shown, whether it’s conspiracy theorists undermining public health or unqualified individuals administering cosmetic treatments under false pretences, that assumption has been dangerously misplaced.

Protecting the title is a vital first step. But I’m pretty sure that we all know that titles alone don’t guarantee safety. The real issue lies in how we verify, monitor and enforce who gets access to patients and how they present themselves.

What we consistently see is this: the system is only as strong as its weakest link. We’ve encountered individuals using fraudulent documentation, exaggerating credentials or using aliases to re-enter the workforce after being struck off or sanctioned. These aren’t just isolated cases, they’re signs of structural vulnerability.

That’s why robust pre-employment screening, ongoing rechecks and real-time data-sharing between regulators, employers and third-party providers are essential. Background checks shouldn’t be a tick-box exercise or a one-off verification. They need to evolve with the individual and with the risks.

I applaud the government’s intent to close the loophole around the misuse of professional titles. But we must also ask: how did it take this long? Why did it require repeated incidents, public pressure and campaigning from professional bodies to trigger action?

Nurses are one of the most trusted professions in the UK. That trust is earned through years of study, experience and revalidation. Allowing unqualified individuals to co-opt that trust not only puts patients at risk, it devalues the entire profession.

This legislative change should be a catalyst, not a conclusion. Let’s use this moment to reform how we verify healthcare professionals across the board. That includes standardising pre-employment checks across NHS trusts, introducing mandatory rechecks for high-risk roles, and strengthening regulatory data feeds so that red flags don’t fall through the cracks.

We also need to futureproof. As healthcare expands into digital and remote models, verifying identity, qualifications and fitness to practise becomes even more critical. Technology can help – AI and automation are already transforming screening workflows – but it needs to be combined with rigorous human oversight and a culture of vigilance.

Protecting the title ‘nurse’ is about more than semantics. It’s about public safety, trust in the system and respect for the people doing the work. But if we’re serious about safeguarding patients, we can’t stop at language. We need to build a health and care workforce ecosystem where fraudsters, imposters and repeat offenders have no place to hide.

I look forward to seeing the legislation progress but I also call on the government, the NHS and private sector providers to invest in the systems and partnerships that make this protection real and lasting.

Let’s make sure this isn’t just a headline. Let’s make it the foundation of a safer, more accountable workforce for everyone.