NHS calls in 2,000 overseas nurses

MORE than 2,000 foreign nurses will be invited today to travel to the UK to help tackle the Covid crisis.

In a joint effort with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, overseas health workers whose applications for the nursing register are pending will be able to start work immediately.

Nurses invited to join the temporary register will have a nursing qualification, with language, character and clinical references checked.

Trusts have been handed £ 48million to increase international recruitment and provide support to overseas staff.

NHS chief nurse Ruth May, pictured, said: “Nurses have worked incredibly hard in the last year and have started 2021 doing the extraordinary things that continue to inspire the nation, so it is right that the NHS does all it can to support them and our patients, by boosting the workforce.

“It’s fantastic that thousands of overseas nurses joined us last year and many more thousands will continue to do so.”

Andrea Sutcliffe, Nursing and Midwifery Council chief executive and registrar, said: “As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, we can all see that health and social care services in England and right across the UK are facing their toughest challenge yet.

“The impact of rising Covid- 19 infection rates and related hospital admissions alongside winter pressures and the vital roll out of the vaccine programme are putting tremendous strain on our health and care professionals. “The need for as many people as possible to provide skilled care and support in hospitals, nursing homes and in the community has never been greater to ensure the NHS and social care can continue to provide kind, safe and effective care.”