The number of internationally trained nurses and midwives joining the UK workforce has dropped, raising concerns about long-term staffing in health and care services. A recent report from the NMC found that in the past 12 months overseas-trained professionals joining the NMC was down 30.2% in comparison to the previous year, with international leavers rising by a third. While there was an increase in UK joiners, the rise was not enough to compensate for the fall in overseas recruitment. The drop follows changes to the Health and Care Worker visa and increased emphasis on domestic recruitment under the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
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‘These figures put pressure on Wes Streeting to come up with a 10-year workforce strategy to turn things around,’ said RCN Chief Nursing Officer Lynn Woolsey. ‘The Government has been as unethical in stopping international recruitment as its predecessor was in abusing it. This boom and bust approach must end and a strategy that boosts domestic supply and delivers fair treatment for international staff is what's needed.’
Fewer than 20% of leavers said that they would recommend nursing or midwifery as a career, citing strenuous working conditions and staff experiences. Overall, 6% more professionals left the NMC register last year in comparison to the previous year with even fewer joining. While retirement was the leading reason for leaving, physical and mental health was cited as the second most common cause for the third year running. Of those who cited health concerns, most claimed that their role harmed their physical health, as well as reporting a negative impact on mental wellbeing.
‘The new report from the NMC provides valuable insight to help shape future workforce supply and retention efforts,’ said Caroline Waterfield, Director of Development and Employment at NHS Employers. ‘In challenging financial times, it’s essential we retain our current workforce, improve staff experience particularly for ethnic minority professionals and invest in training the next generation through apprenticeships and university routes.’