NMC consultation on English language requirements for EU Nurse registration process

The NMC  (Nursing and Midwifery Council), the body which regulates and registers nurses and midwives in the UK, has launched a consultation on introducing English language controls for EU and EEA trained Nurses wishing to work in the UK.

Last year the UK government announced plans to give the NMC authority to introduce new language controls for European Economic Area (EEA) trained nurses and midwives, as part of revised European Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

The Department of Health has authorised the NMC to change the statutory rules setting out new processes in the way it deals with nurses from the EU and EEA.

Until now, EU/EEA nurses have been exempt from English language checks, unlike their non-EU counterparts who are required to pass an IELTS English test at level 7.00. This is why, in general, nurses from India or the Philippines have a greater command of the English language than European candidates.

New language controls should raise the standard of English language spoken by European nurses which can only help to improve the standard of care in hospitals and nursing homes recruiting overseas nurses.

The consultation seeking views on the processes that the NMC are putting in place for language controls for:

•  EEA trained nurses and midwives who apply for registration
• Nurses and midwives seeking readmission to our register following a lapse of registration, and
• investigating concerns about the language competence of nurses and midwives on our register.

For more information see the consultation document [PDF] and further documents outlining the full process.

Download the consultation document [PDF]

Providing evidence of English language competence: Guidance for EEA trained nurses and midwives (annexe 1) [PDF]

Proposed changes to our education, registration and registration appeals rules and our fitness to practise rules (annexe 2) [PDF]

NMC consultation on English language requirements for EU/EEA nurses: Respond to this consultation by clicking here

The NMC consultation will run for 12 weeks from 1 June to midday on 21 August 2015.

The NHS (National Health Service) are recruiting thousands of overseas nurses from both EU and non-EU countries such as The Philippines, India, Australia and NZ.

Overseas Nurses Working in UK Hospitals Despite Visa Restrictions

UK visa restrictions contained in the new 2014 Immigration Act will have far reaching consequences for overstayers and illegal immigrants. New Immigration Rules enable the Home Office to deport visa overstayers  - in some cases with no right of appeal - much faster forcing migrants and their families to leave the UK.

Legal migrants, such as students applying for visa extensions, can also be arrested by UK Border Officers and removed from the UK if their applications are refused by the Home Office and they no longer have valid leave to remain.

The UK has more job openings than in anywhere else in the EU, which has seen a sharp increase in EU immigration from countries such as Croatia, France, Italy, Spain and Romania.

In addition other former non-EU migrants, such as Filipinos living in Spain, are taking advantage of EU free movement rights and coming to the UK to work in care or nursing jobs in the NHS.

Migrants coming to the UK to work are taking thousands of shortage occupation jobs, such as care work or to fill the huge number of vacancies for nurses in the NHS or nursing homes.

NHS hospitals are recruiting doctors and nurses in EU countries such as Spain, and non-EU countries, for instance in the Philippines.

Overseas Nurse with Charles Kelly, Marketing Manager at Concept Care

If you are a nurse and want to work in the UK, make sure you check the UK NMC website and register.

EU nurses in most cases obtain automatic NMC registration. Non-EU nurses will need to obtain an IELTS English language test overall band score of 7.00. You will also need a year’s clinical experience in a hospital (not as a private or company nurse) and pass the new competency tests.

Tier 2 work permits are available for nurses, doctors, higher managerial level jobs or in ‘shortage occupations’, but not for care givers.

Beware of fake job advertisements offering working visas for unskilled jobs in care or catering and stick to government approved agencies. In the UK, Concept Care Solutions are on the LPP framework list of agencies approved to recruit overseas nurses for NHS hospital jobs.

For more information on UK jobs, immigration advice, help with Sponsorship, Work Permits, Visa, ILR, Settlement, Citizenship, Dependant Visa, Leave to Remain or visa refusal email me.