Report Shows a Noticeable Increase in Nurses from ‘Red List’ Countries Joining the NHS workforce
Recent data shows concerning trends in the number of people joining the UK register from countries where active recruitment isn’t permitted.
According to recent figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), over 24,000 people have joined the nursing register from low-income “red list” countries in a six-month period.
The Code of Practice for International Recruitment prohibits active recruitment from developing countries such as Congo, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Eritrea, and others.
Despite this, NMC data indicates upward trends in joiners from some “red list” countries.
Specifically, there were 24,905 professionals from “red list” countries on the register in the six months to September 30 of this year. The report highlighted significant proportional increases in joiners from Ghana and Zambia, as well as a substantial number of joiners from Nigeria.
The report also revealed a notable increase in the number of people educated in India joining the register.
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief executive and registrar at the NMC, emphasized the importance of abiding by the Government’s ethical recruitment code, especially with the rise in joiners from “red list” countries.
Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Nurse at the Royal College of Nursing, stated that the government’s unethical international recruitment from “red list” countries is unsustainable.
Furthermore, the report noted that the number of nurses registered to work in the UK has hit a record high, with over 808,488 nurses, midwives, and nursing associates now registered with the NMC.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, expressed her excitement about the record numbers of registered nurses in England and highlighted the commitment to doubling the number of adult nurse training placements by 2031.
This report was contributed to by PA Media.
