The NMC regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The NMC aims to protect the public and sets the standards of education, training, conduct and performance so that nurses and midwives can continue to provide high quality care throughout their careers. The NMC ensures that nurses and midwives are up to date with their skills and knowledge and also maintain the register of nurses and midwives authorized to practice in the UK. It is important to have a professional body that keeps and maintains the register because otherwise anyone could falsify a certificate and pass themselves off as a healthcare professional. The NMC also keeps a register of healthcare professionals who have been struck off the register. This is also important to ensure that members of the public are safe and that employers do not employ someone who has been disbarred and is not licensed to practice medicine.