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NMC moves to curb social media misconduct among trainee nurses, midwives

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 9:44 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Ghana’s Nursing and Midwifery Council Tightens Rules on Social‑Media Conduct for Trainee Nurses

Accra, Oct. 2025 – In a bid to protect patient privacy and uphold professional standards, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana has rolled out a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at curbing social‑media misconduct among trainee nurses and midwives. The initiative follows a growing number of incidents in which health‑care professionals posted patient‑related material on public platforms, sparking public outcry and prompting regulators to act.

A New Era of Digital Accountability

The NMC’s latest policy, unveiled in a press conference held at the council’s headquarters in Accra, is built on the premise that the digital footprint of health‑care workers can have far‑reaching implications for both patient confidentiality and the reputation of the profession. “Our profession is entrusted with sensitive information. The digital age demands a stricter, clearer set of rules that all trainees must follow,” said Dr. Emmanuel Mensah, Chair of the NMC’s Ethics Committee, during the announcement.

The guidelines specifically target the use of social media during clinical training and include:

• Prohibition of patient‑identifiable content – Trainees are barred from posting photographs, videos, or any content that could indirectly identify a patient, including contextual details such as ward numbers or medical equipment.
• Mandatory digital‑ethics training – All new trainees will now receive a two‑day workshop on professional conduct online, covering topics from privacy laws to the psychological impact of sharing clinical images.
• Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms – The NMC will collaborate with the Ghana Health Service to conduct periodic audits of trainee social‑media accounts and will impose sanctions ranging from written warnings to suspension from training programmes.
• Clear reporting procedures – Trainees who witness breaches by their peers are encouraged to report incidents through a confidential hotline, which will be managed by an independent oversight committee.

The policy is aligned with the 2018 Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Act, which states that “any nurse or midwife who fails to protect patient privacy shall be liable to disciplinary action.” It also dovetails with the Ministry of Health’s broader digital‑health strategy, which was detailed in the Digital Health Policy Framework released earlier this year (link: https://ghanahealth.gov/digital-health-policy).

Context: Why the Move Is Timely

The push for tighter regulation comes after a series of high‑profile social‑media posts by trainee nurses that were flagged for breaching patient confidentiality. In one incident, a trainee nurse from the University of Ghana’s School of Nursing posted a video on Instagram showing a patient receiving a medication drip. The clip was quickly removed by the platform but had already spread across multiple forums. The patient’s family filed a formal complaint with the NMC, citing the violation of the Health Professions Act, 2019.

In addition, a GhanaWeb investigation (link: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/HealthProfessionals-Privacy-Case) revealed that several medical students had shared anonymized but context‑rich photos of patients on Twitter, which were later traced back to specific wards. The NMC’s earlier attempts to address these concerns through informal guidance were deemed insufficient, as trainees often relied on their own interpretation of what constituted “identifiable” data.

The regulatory body’s new guidelines therefore represent a shift from reactive to proactive governance, with the aim of preventing incidents before they occur.

Voices from the Field

While the NMC’s measures have been welcomed by many senior clinicians, reactions among trainees have been mixed. A cohort of third‑year nurses from the KNUST School of Nursing expressed concern that the guidelines might stifle the creative use of digital tools for education.

“We appreciate the need for privacy, but many of us use social media to share learning moments, post case discussions, and build professional networks,” said Amina Sarpong, a trainee nurse who declined to be identified. “The challenge is finding a balance between protecting patient data and engaging with the global nursing community.”

In response, the NMC has pledged to incorporate “safe‑sharing” practices into the mandatory training. Trainees will learn how to create generic case summaries and use patient pseudonyms. The council also plans to launch a dedicated “Nurse‑Net” platform, a secure environment where trainees can discuss clinical cases without risking data breaches.

Enforcement: Practical Implications

The enforcement component of the policy is perhaps the most critical. The NMC has set up a digital‑forensics team that will work alongside the Ghana Police Service’s cybercrime unit to investigate serious breaches. Trainees who violate the guidelines may face:

• Formal censure – A letter of reprimand added to their professional file.
• Temporary suspension – Removal from clinical rotations for up to three months.
• Permanent revocation – In cases of repeated or egregious breaches, trainees may lose the right to register with the NMC.

The council’s enforcement strategy is detailed in a supplementary document available on the NMC website (link: https://nmcghana.org/policies/social-media-guidelines). This document outlines the step‑by‑step process for reporting, investigation, and adjudication, ensuring transparency and due process.

Industry‑Wide Impact

The policy is expected to have ripple effects beyond the nursing profession. The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ghana Pharmacy Council have expressed interest in adopting similar frameworks for their own trainees. In a statement, the GMA Chair, Prof. Kwesi Asante, noted that “patient confidentiality is a universal concern across all health disciplines, and the NMC’s proactive stance sets a benchmark.”

The Ghana Health Service’s Digital Health Strategy also cited the NMC’s guidelines as a key component in its 2026 action plan, aiming to reduce misinformation and data misuse across all health facilities.

Looking Ahead

The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s initiative marks a decisive step toward safeguarding patient privacy in an era where digital communication is integral to health‑care delivery. By embedding robust digital‑ethics training and clear enforcement mechanisms, the NMC aims to build a culture of accountability that balances the benefits of social media with the inviolable rights of patients.

In the words of Dr. Mensah, “We are not trying to silence our trainees; we are ensuring that their professional conduct reflects the dignity, trust, and responsibility that nursing and midwifery demand.” As Ghana continues to modernize its health sector, the NMC’s policy could serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar challenges in the digital age.