By Eniola Amadu
Research has revealed that about 50,000 nurses may resign in the UK as a result of the government’s immigration proposals.
This move could drive the NHS into its largest manpower shortage.
UK prime minister, Keir Starmer has pledged to limit the total migration population. This includes the delay in the application for settlement for 10 years rather than the initial five years.
The scheme will also see changes in the skills requirements for foreign staff raised to degree level and a higher standard of English needed for all visa types.
Meanwhile, Nursing leaders, speaking to the Guardian, tagged the move as “immoral” and used highly skilled migrants as “political footballs”.
They revealed that mass deportation of nursing staff would pose threats to the safety of patients and undermine the administration’s efforts to reduce waiting times.
The reforms would affect all migrant workers nationwide. However, the harshest effect is on the NHS as it struggles with serious pressure due to rising care demands and workforce shortages.
A survey carried out by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and seen by the Guardian, shows the plans have triggered deep concern among international NHS and social care workers.
Among the over 5,000 migrant nursing staff surveyed by the RCN, 60% of those without ILR said the overhaul was “very likely” to influence their plans to stay in the UK. Based on that finding, over 46,000 internationally educated nurses could permanently leave the country.
The general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, Prof Nicola Ranger, said: “These proposals are not just immoral, they would be dangerous for our patients. No minister who has any interest in the success of our health and social care system would press ahead with extending the qualifying period for ILR.”
She criticised the move and warned that it could reduce quality healthcare and risks patient safety. “At a time when the government is failing to grow the domestic nursing workforce, it risks pushing tens of thousands of highly skilled nurses out of the UK,” she said.
She added that, “Many of those who will soon be applying for ILR came to the UK during the pandemic, at great personal sacrifice. This is no way to repay them and amounts to a betrayal.
“Our international colleagues deserve clarity over their futures, not to be used as political footballs by politicians and left unable to access state support despite working in public services and paying taxes.”
In response, a spokesperson for the government said: “We are grateful to our overseas frontline healthcare workers, who bring compassion, deliver high-quality care and strengthen our health service, but net migration must come down.
“As the Home Secretary has set out, under our proposed new settlement model, individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society. We will launch the consultation shortly and encourage health and care workers to take part when it launches.”
