Jan Tari was 58yrs old and worked for the Nursing and Midwifery Council ( NMC) up until 2023 - he died by suicide on 21st April 2025.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council is an independant regulator for over 800,000 nurses, midwives and nursing associates in the UK. It's primary role is to protect the public by setting professional standards and managing the register of professionals.

Jan was a kind and gentle soul and a true friend to those in his life. Originally born in Turkey, his name meaning "darling" in Turkish and he was the oldest of 4 boys. He was someone with a strong moral code and felt the need to ensure justice. He had a great sense of humour and brought warmth and positivity to those around him. However, he was equally always open about his mental health struggles and had continued determination to end his life.

Jan joined the NMC as a data analyst full of hope and aspirations to contribute to their important work. Jan declared his health issues on starting the role (neurodiversity and long term mental health disorder ) After a short time at the NMC he whistleblew about poor data governance - an aspect that NMCWatch members have experienced themselves during their own Fitness to Practice cases. It was an easy thing to resolve so he was shocked by the bullying, gaslighting and tactics he experienced to try to discredit his concerns.

On Monday 16th September 2024, Jan wrote to David Warren, the then head of council prior to a suicide attempt – he had exhausted all other chances to be heard and felt this was his only option. In the letter he stated:

"… when you read this, I should, if all has gone to plan, be dead. You are not the only reason, but be assured, you were the final and most massive straw. . .. If I was wrong you could have shown it with far greater ease (and much lower cost) then your simple blanket denials and stonewalling. Your upper tiers are wilfully incompetent; you preserve that incompetence for the sake of keeping your jobs and to the cost of those you regulate. You are incompetent to the point of corruption. "

NMCWatch is an online support group giving free pastoral support to those undergoing Fitness to Practice investigations. We also do low level campaigning to push for reform with the NMC. The regulator has a job to do BUT this is about people and everyone deserves to be dealt with with humanity, compassion and fairness whether being referred to them, accessing them to deal with concerns or working for them. As a result of this work we met Jan and his story resonated loudly. The behaviour he had experienced as a member of staff of the NMC was no different to what nurses and midwives say they experience when they are referred and members of the public tell us when they try to refer in concerns.

We have also met other NMC whistle-blowers who tell us the same.

Jan had contributed to the investigation of how the NMC handled their whistleblowers and was interviewed by KC Ijeoma Omambula for her investigation. When the NMC recommissioned this work, Jan's voice was not included. This was extremely disappointing for all 3 whistleblowers including Jan. However during his inquest it was acknowledged that he was a whistleblower and he suffered workplace bullying.

Jan’s family and friends are keen for something good to come out of his death and have agreed that NMCWatch can set up a memorial fund in his name. His close friend has told us:

"He was such a beautiful soul and it cannot just be swept under the carpet. "

We know of 20 nurses who have died by suicide prior to the closure of their NMC case since 2019 - we fear the numbers are higher.

Last monthThe Independent published an article about the death of a nurse who was under investigation - the coroner has opened a case to see if any blame lies with the NMC.

In Jan’s memory we will be raising money to provide:

- Dedicated triage service led by those with lived experience

- Specialist training to the triage team

- Provision of psychologist led support sessions

- Data collection to demonstrate impact & push for reform

Listen to a podcast Jan did with us last year https://youtu.be/f1uOudMEHkA?si=PtuAcvwqOW5N8BbA

and further observations about the wider investigation of whistleblowers at the NMC https://youtu.be/AxPTpRf7o_I?si=SU5Ej_v6qzInAPLX