UK Nursing & Midwifery Council launches new policy to support displaced healthcare professionals
The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) has published the first UK policy to support forcibly displaced people wanting to register as healthcare professionals
Pictured above: Arrival of NHS nurses registered with the NMC
Helping displaced nurses reach their potential
Registering in a new country can be particularly challenging for healthcare workers who come from abroad, especially for those coming from displaced backgrounds. Registration documents may not be accessible, and contact with third parties may not be possible for safety reasons.
As a way to include these professionals into the UK workforce, the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) - the independent regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK, and nursing associates in England - has developed and published a new policy to provide registration support to eligible applicants who already have the knowledge and skills that meet the high standards of the care sector.
The policy covers any forcibly displaced person including those who have been granted asylum or indefinite leave to remain in the UK, as well as those who have not been granted international protection but come from a background of displacement.
The two-stage application process asks registrants to complete an initial eligibility and qualification application, a test of competence and, lastly, to complete the registration with additional health, character and language requirements.
The process has been designed to support applicants who may have issues completing a standard UK nursing registration. Moreover, this policy will allow regulators to look at every application individually, as a way to recognise and support applicants on a case-by-case basis.
Learning from lived experience
TBB supported the NMC policymakers by providing input throughout the process, along with other refugee-serving organizations, namely Building Bridges Programme, RefuAid, Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU), and The Refugee Council.
The policy draws on case studies provided by TBB and other partners, to codify alternative arrangements for registration by candidates who have migrated to the UK through the Healthcare Displaced Talent Program.
A life-changing partnership
TBB and the NMC have been working together since 2020 to learn about the issues refugee nurses face, and assist them with accessing the NMC registration process in a fair way. More than 170 displaced nurses have arrived in the UK through TBB’s Displaced Talent program and have benefitted from the policy, with another 150 nurses expected to arrive in the next few months.
Our partnership with the NMC has helped ensure that talented nurses are able to complete their UK nursing registration despite their experience of displacement. These nurses will have the opportunity to enjoy a successful career in the UK, care for their local communities, and enrich the NHS and private healthcare providers with their skills and talents. We are grateful to the NMC for their innovation and collaborative approach, as well as their commitment and dedication to equity for nurses around the world.
For more detailed information about the NMC policy and further resources please visit the NMC website.
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