Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nurses from Overseas

Tuesday 23 January 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister acknowledges the contribution of internationally recruited staff to the NHS.
  • Immigration policy and fees are managed by the Home Secretary, not the Minister.
  • Long-term workforce plan supports international recruitment and staff retention.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Roberts
Immigration NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the need for international recruitment to support the NHS workforce.

Question

What steps are being taken to increase the recruitment of qualified nurses from overseas? The national health service would completely collapse without the input and expertise of clinical staff from around the world. High fees for applying for permanent residency are a barrier, with some nurses having to take out loans just to feel welcome in our country. I have presented a private Member's Bill to exempt NHS clinical staff from these high fees.

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

The Minister acknowledges the contribution of internationally recruited staff. Immigration policy and fees are managed by the Home Secretary, but the long-term workforce plan supports international recruitment. The health and care visa introduced in 2020 and the exemption from the immigration health surcharge for health and care staff have been implemented.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not explicitly commit to supporting the private Member's Bill or working with Home Office colleagues on fees.

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Q2 Rob Roberts
Immigration NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the barriers for international recruitment, such as high fees.

Question

I thank the Minister. The NHS would collapse without input and expertise of clinical staff globally. High fees for permanent residency are a barrier; some nurses take out loans just to feel welcome here. I presented a private Member's Bill to exempt NHS clinical staff from these fees. Will the Minister support this Bill?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

The Minister acknowledges the contribution of internationally recruited staff. Immigration policy and fees are managed by the Home Secretary, but long-term workforce plan supports international recruitment. Measures like health and care visa introduced in 2020 and exemption from immigration health surcharge for health and care staff have been implemented.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not explicitly commit to supporting the private Member's Bill or working with Home Office colleagues on fees.

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Q3 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
NHS
Context

The MP recognises the importance of retaining NHS staff due to workload, mental wellbeing, and cost of living.

Question

Without our fantastic workforce, the NHS would not work. I pay tribute to all hard-working nurses in hospitals and care centres, including at St Thomas' Hospital. In addition to recruitment, do we need a wide-ranging plan addressing workforce planning, pay, training, staff wellbeing and retention?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

The Minister agrees with the hon. Lady because this Government introduced a long-term workforce plan for the first time ever. Retention is one of the key pillars, and results are already showing in keeping more staff in our NHS.

Answered
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