The NMC is expanding its social media guidance into something broader: new guidance on professionalism in public and private life. The change reflects a growing expectation that professional standards apply beyond the workplace.
The NMC's news release from 21 July 2026 confirms that social media guidance "will become part of new guidance on professionalism in public and private life." The new Code will also include strengthened wording around "professional behaviours including behaviour outside of professional practice."
The existing social media guidance already covers areas like patient confidentiality online, maintaining professional boundaries on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and avoiding bringing the profession into disrepute. The new guidance will expand this to cover broader professionalism concerns.
Three areas are likely to be included:
Social media conduct. The existing rules continue to apply. Do not share patient information. Do not post discriminatory content. Maintain professional boundaries. But the guidance will be more detailed, reflecting the evolving landscape of platforms and the blurring of personal and professional online identities.
Off-duty conduct. The NMC has been clear that professional standards do not switch off when you leave the ward. This is well established in fitness to practise cases. The new guidance will make it explicit that certain behaviours outside work can still raise concerns about your fitness to practise.
Public behaviour. This is the newest area. What does professionalism look like in public spaces, community settings, or when representing the profession outside of work? The guidance will set clearer expectations.
The evidence review that informed the new Code found that professionals want clearer standards on what is acceptable on social media and in public life. High-profile cases involving doctors and nurses have highlighted the risks of off-duty conduct that conflicts with professional values.
The BMA doctors' case context is relevant here. Recent cases where doctors faced regulatory action for social media posts and off-duty behaviour have prompted all the healthcare regulators to review their guidance. The NMC is responding to the same environment.
Source: NMC official news release, 21 July 2026
Until the full guidance is published during the consultation, here are the principles already established in NMC fitness to practise case law and existing guidance:
Review your social media presence. Check your privacy settings. Remove anything that could be seen as incompatible with professional standards. If you use social media for professional purposes, keep those accounts separate from personal ones.
The consultation from September to December 2026 will be your chance to feed back on the proposed guidance. The NMC wants to hear from professionals about what the new guidance should cover.
Your portfolio should remain private and secure regardless of regulatory changes. Keeping your reflections and CPD records separate from social media is common sense.
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NMC-validated content. This article is based on official NMC publications published July 2026. All factual claims are sourced directly from NMC publications or independently verified. Sources listed above.
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