NMC Change Non-EU Nurse Registration Process For Working In The UK

Cynthia Barker writes...Good news for overseas nurses who trained outside the EU or EEA. The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) requirements for overseas nurses wishing to work in the UK are changing this October 2014. The overseas nursing programme (ONP) will be replaced by a new online written 'competence test' and assessment held in the UK.

The new 'competence test' system will make it easier for employers, such as the NHS, to recruit non-EU nurses who want to work in the UK.

Overseas nurses are desperately needed to fill the 20,000 plus UK nurse job vacancies in the NHS alone.

Non-EU nurses will still need an English language level of IELTS 7.00, unlike EU nurses who do not have to prove their English language competence.

The new NMC process should make it easier for non-EU nurses to work in the UK and for more attractive for employers to recruit them.

Medical recruitment agencies, such as Concept Care Solutions, and NHS Trusts have already gone out to the EU (Spain, Greece, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria) to find nurses, care workers, OT's, PT's and doctors. EU workers can go anywhere within the EU to work, which means the UK faces stiff competition fro the best medical staff.

NHS employers will have to start employing non-EU nurses and staff from countries such as India and the Philippines in order to meet massive shortages.

Many hospitals have flown all over Europe but failed to recruit the required number of staff, as well as discovering that the level of English language ability left a lot to be desired. There is no requirement for IELTS 7.00 for nurses from the European Union despite the fact that the average European nurse probably speaks a lower level of English than a Filipino, African or Indian nurse, let alone and Australian nurse!

Concept Care Solutions is now planning recruitment drives in the Philippines and India once again to recruit thousands of nurses and AHP's.

Are you one of the large numbers of qualified nurses currently in the UK, for instance on a student or PSW visa? You may also be a qualified nurse working as a carer who would like to get back into nursing.

If you are an overseas nurse, AHP or Doctor in the UK or overseas, send your CV to info@londonccs.com.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Wimbledon Starts Today With The Help Of Migrant Workers

Cynthia Barker writes...Today is the start of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, one of the great British summer traditions, and the sun is shining! Let's hope it's a good omen for Andy Murray who is defending his Grand Slam title - tennis fans have been queuing for Centre Court tickets since Saturday!

Crowds of up to 40,000 a day will pack the All England Club during the Wimbledon fortnight and many will no doubt want to sample the delights of strawberries and cream washed down with a glass of champagne.

But who will be serving the food, pouring the wine and clearing up the tons of rubbish every day? You can bet there will be a high proportion of migrant workers, especially from Eastern European countries such as Poland, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Non-EU migrants have not been able to obtain work permits or UK visas for low skilled jobs for some time and students at private colleges are barred from working to support their studies.

Wimbledon is a prime example of a great world class British institution which would not function without willing migrant workers. Another is the NHS, which is now recruiting overseas to fill nurse job vacancies in UK hospitals.

Hey, Andy Murray has just won his first match in straight sets! Come on Andy!

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.