NHS staffing boost as No 10 relaxes visa regulations

THE NHS is to be able to recruit thousands more medical staff from abroad, after the Government announced a relaxation on visas.

Doctors and nurses are to be excluded from the cap on so-called “Tier Two” visas for skilled workers from non-eu countries, imposed by Theresa May when she was home secretary.

The visa limit has been set at 20,700 a year since 2011, with about 40% of places accounted for by the NHS. But recent months have regularly seen demand outstrip supply, driven in large part by the under-pressure health service.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I recognise the pressures faced by the NHS and other sectors in recent months. Doctors and nurses play a vital role in society and at this time we need more in the UK.

“This is about finding a solution to increased demand and to support our essential national services.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the move would “send a clear message to nurses and doctors from around the world that the NHS welcomes and values their skills and dedication”, adding: “It’s fantastic that patients will now benefit from the care of thousands more talented staff.”

Downing Street confirmed the change would come into effect immediately after new regulations are tabled today.

The removal of doctors and nurses from the Tier Two total will have the knock-on effect of freeing up hundreds of places each month for other professions, including engineers, IT professionals and teachers.

No 10 played down suggestions the Government was moving away from its target to get annual net migration below 100,000.

“Net migration is falling,” said Mrs May’s official spokesman. “We remain absolutely committed to bringing it down to sustainable levels.

“There has been a particular demand in this area and we are responding to this demand as part of our long-term plan for the NHS.”

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said the announcement would be a “muchneeded victory for common sense and patient care”.

The BMA said a change in the rules would “be welcome relief to doctors and patients, who have witnessed first hand the damage that this policy has caused”.