Government proposals for a new regulatory authority for the nursing profession would not only fail to enhance public protection and speed up professional conduct processes, 'but if enacted would achieve the opposite', the UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting has announced.In its response to the government's draft order establishing the Nursing and Midwifery Council's centre on professional conduct, council president Alison Norman argues that significant changes are required to make its reforms workable.Many of the government's proposals - including the new appeals process and the introduction of performance procedures akin to those of the General Medical Council - would also increase costs for those on the register, claims the UKCC.