The number of nurses registered to work in Britain has reached a record high, the nursing regulator has said, warning against unethical recruitment from countries with their own shortages.
There are now around 808,488 nurses, midwives and nursing assistants registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council – an increase of 37,091 in a year.
This includes 748,528 nursing staff, 42,974 midwives and 10,560 nurses – all more than ever before.
However, this comes against the backdrop of an increasing number of people joining the register from so-called “red list” countries such as Nigeria and Ghana.
There are now approximately 808,488 nurses, midwives and nursing assistants registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council – an increase of 37,091 in a year
These countries have their own staffing issues and guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care advises the NHS not to actively recruit staff from these countries.
Figures from the NMC show that 3,071 people from red-listed countries signed up to the care register in the six months to 30 September.
A total of 24,905 skilled workers from red list countries were entered in the register from 30 September 2023.
The new NMC figures also show a growing number of UK workers, following a recent increase in the number of nursing apprenticeships.
In the six months to September 30, around 30,103 people signed up to the care register, including 15,067 from the UK.
The proportion of nurses from a black or ethnic minority background is now 29.1 per cent.
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief executive and registrar at the NMC, said: “Strong recruitment and consistent retention has taken our register of nurses, midwives and nursing assistants to a new record.”
There are concerns about an increase in the number of people joining the register from ‘red list’ countries where active recruitment is banned by the NHS. This chart shows the growth in the number of nurses and midwives joining the NMC register, based on where they originally trained. While recruitment of UK-educated, Indian and Filipino professionals has increased, the number of countries suspected of being red-listed has exploded in the past five years, from just a handful to thousands.
“This is very encouraging given the well-known pressures on health and care services at a time of increasing demand for healthcare.”
“Our register now shows 50-50 recruitment between UK and internationally trained nurses and midwives.”
“All these professionals make an essential and welcome contribution to people’s health and well-being.”
“However, it is important that employers remain aware of the government’s ethical hiring code as we see many new hires from red-listed countries.”
“People from all over the world want to come and work in the UK.”
“However, employers should not undermine health systems through active recruitment in countries with the greatest workforce challenges.”
Professor Nicola Ranger, senior nurse at the Royal College of Nursing, said: “The key findings of this report do not reflect what nurses see on the front line of the NHS.”
“Since 2019, NHS waiting lists have grown four times faster than the number of nurses, meaning there are not enough staff to give patients the excellent care they deserve.”
“The government’s over-reliance on unethical international recruitment from red-listed countries has become the norm and cannot continue. This is a false economy.
The NMC data also shows that new additions to the register are now split 50% between UK-educated professionals and those from other countries. In the six months to September 30, a total of 30,103 people signed up to the care register, including 15,067 from the UK, just 31 more than international sources
Despite the increase in international recruits, UK-educated professionals still make up the vast majority of people on the NMC register
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General practitioner data for May 2023 shows that there are 27,200 fully qualified GPs in England. This is a decrease compared to the 27,627 last year. GP numbers peaked at 29,537 in March 2016
“The government must invest in the UK’s nursing workforce by funding nursing training and fair pay – not destabilize other healthcare systems.”
It came after nurses said they were “shocked” by the deal between the government and consultants in England, which will see a pay rise of around 19 per cent for some.
The RCN did not agree to the pay deal, which included a 5 per cent pay rise for 2023/2024 and a cash increase for the final year, but union members decided not to continue the strike after it was introduced in the summer .
However, the RCN reacted angrily to the pay of the country’s top doctors, suggesting the news would make nursing strikes “more likely in the future”.
She called on the government to restart talks on nurses’ pay.
Dr Billy Palmer, senior fellow at the Nuffield Trust, a health think tank, said: “The health service is not benefiting equally from the growth in the number of trained nurses, for example because the number of trained nurses with learning disabilities continues to fall. .”
“It is vital that while the number of UK-educated nurses joining the register is increasing, many will not be joining the NHS.”
“We have highlighted the need to close the gaps in the pipeline for local doctors and policy makers need to better understand why so many jobs are being taken outside the NHS, including in the private sector.”
“We increasingly rely on foreign nurses to fill the gaps where we struggle to attract domestic workers.”
Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said: “While overseas healthcare workers are invaluable to the UK, the increase in the number of participants from ‘red list’ countries is worrying.”
“International recruitment must be carried out ethically and in accordance with the Department of Health and Social Care’s Code of Conduct.
“The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims to boost local training alongside international recruitment.”
“For this to happen, the plan must be adequately financed by the government.”
Sean O’Sullivan, head of health policy at the Royal College of Midwives, said there was a shortage of around 2,500 midwives in the NHS in England, adding: “While it is positive to see the number of people trained and if midwives are registered “If the number of midwives working in the NHS is increasing, it is not matching the number of midwives.”
Ruth May, head of nursing at NHS England, said: “Nurses are vital to providing high quality care to millions of patients every day and I am delighted that we now have a record number of registered nurses in England.”
“Recognizing that we still have a long way to go, the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan commits to double the number of adult nurse training places by 2031 so we can build on the important progress already made.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
