NMC glossary · What is allowed
Formal Announcement: What It Means Under The NMC Rules
Also searched as: Announcing a new clinic, Change of address, Starting practice
A doctor may make a formal announcement of starting practice, a change of type of practice, a change of address, temporary absence, resumption of practice, succeeding to a practice or a public declaration of charges. It must be factual, non-promotional and limited in scope.
Updated 7 November 2026. Reviewed by Tamojit Lodh, Founder of Medmatis. Built around the NMC's Public Notice No. R-13014/01/2024-Ethics of 6 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Key facts, with sources
Hide the 4 key facts and their sourcesShow the 4 key facts and their sources
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Term | Formal announcement (also searched as Announcing a new clinic, Change of address, Starting practice) | Medmatis |
| In the notice | Not defined by the notice; this entry explains how the notice uses it. | NMC notice of 6 Oct 2026, cl. 8.2 (ii), cl. 9.3 |
| Applies to | Doctors (RMPs) | NMC notice of 6 Oct 2026 |
| In force | From 6 October 2026, with immediate effect. The NMC may issue clarifications and advisories (cl. 12). | NMC notice of 6 Oct 2026 |
In plain words
Clause 8.2 (ii) lists seven occasions: starting practice, change of type of practice, changing address, temporary absence from duty, resumption of another practice, succeeding to another practice, and public declaration of charge. Clause 9.3 repeats the idea and sets the tone: factual, non-promotional and limited in scope.
These are one-off notices of a change, not campaigns. They are a permitted exception to the general restrictions on doctors.
What it does not mean
- It does not allow a launch campaign. “Limited in scope” and “non-promotional” keep it to the fact of the change.
- It does not cover adding offers or claims to the announcement; those fall back under the usual rules.
Dr. A has moved to a new address from 1 March. Phone and timings are unchanged.
Grand opening: best doctors, free check-up for the first 100 patients.
Illustrative wording only. It shows the idea and is not a clearance of any page.
The notice’s own words
Quoted from the NMC notice of 6 October 2026. Check the clause number against the original.
cl. 8.2 (ii)A medical practitioner is however permitted to make a formal announcement regarding the following: a) On starting practice. b) On change of type of practice. c) On changing address. d) On temporary absence from duty. e) On resumption of another practice. f) On succeeding to another practice. g) Public declaration of charge.
cl. 9.3RMP can issue a formal announcement which are factual, non-promotional and limited in scope regarding starting of practice, change of address, change of practice type, temporary absence, resumption of practice, public declaration of consultation fees.
Our plain-language guide to the whole notice → Check your own text against these rules →
Frequently asked questions
Can I announce a new clinic opening?
Starting practice is one of the occasions for a formal announcement (cl. 8.2 ii). It must be factual, non-promotional and limited in scope (cl. 9.3), so it should not carry superiority claims or offers.
Can I announce my fees?
A public declaration of charges is a permitted announcement (cl. 8.2 ii, 9.3). Lawful fee disclosure should be factual, transparent and not misleading (cl. 8.1 x).
This entry explains a public notice in plain language and quotes its clause numbers. It is not legal advice. Read the original NMC notice and take advice on your own situation.
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