The growth in numbers of nurses being recruited from abroad in recent years speaks again to the lack of investment

Responding to the latest analysis from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on international recruitment, Danny Mortimer chief executive of NHS Employers, part of the NHS Confederation, said:

“The NHS benefits from hugely talented nurses from around the world, it always has and always will. However, the growth in numbers of nurses being recruited from abroad in recent years speaks again to the lack of investment in educating and training healthcare staff in the UK.  

"Against a backdrop of unprecedented pressures on their people and services and with 132,000 staff vacancies, health leaders continue to urge the government to set out a credible and fully costed workforce plan to recruit and retain NHS staff as soon as possible.

“The training and education of registered nurses requires particular attention from the government, particularly in mental health, learning disability and community and primary care. Nurse degree apprenticeships have proven to be very successful and NHS Employers would urge the government to continue the support and funding to grow both this model and sustain placements for university students, especially in mental health and community settings.”