Thursday, June 25, 2015

NMC consultation on English language requirements for EU Nurse registration process

The NMC  (Nursing and Midwifery Council), the body which regulates and registers nurses and midwives in the UK, has launched a consultation on introducing English language controls for EU and EEA trained Nurses wishing to work in the UK.
Last year the UK government announced plans to give the NMC authority to introduce new language controls for European Economic Area (EEA) trained nurses and midwives, as part of revised European Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

The Department of Health has authorised the NMC to change the statutory rules setting out new processes in the way it deals with nurses from the EU and EEA.

Until now, EU/EEA nurses have been exempt from English language checks, unlike their non-EU counterparts who are required to pass an IELTS English test at level 7.00. This is why, in general, nurses from India or the Philippines have a greater command of the English language than European candidates.

New language controls should raise the standard of English language spoken by European nurses which can only help to improve the standard of care in hospitals and nursing homes recruiting overseas nurses.

The consultation seeking views on the processes that the NMC are putting in place for language controls for:

  •  EEA trained nurses and midwives who apply for registration
  • Nurses and midwives seeking readmission to our register following a lapse of registration, and
  • investigating concerns about the language competence of nurses and midwives on our register.



NMC consultation on English language requirements for EU/EEA nurses: Respond to this consultation by clicking here

The NMC consultation will run for 12 weeks from 1 June to midday on 21 August 2015.

The NHS (National Health Service) are recruiting thousands of overseas nurses from both EU and non-EU countries such as The Philippines, India, Australia and NZ.

No comments: