NHS Confederation responds to Migration Advisory Committee recommendation to add care workers to Shortage Occupation List

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its annual report this morning in which it put forward several recommendations to Government to alleviate short-term issues in the labour market.

One of the MAC's recommendations includes making care workers immediately eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa and placing the occupation on the Shortage Occupation List.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, which is part of the NHS Confederation, and chair of the Cavendish Coalition, said:

“The Cavendish Coalition of social care and health organisations welcome this hugely important intervention from the MAC. 

“That they are recommending the addition of care workers to the shortage occupation list months in advance of their planned report to parliament reinforces the seriousness of the workforce crisis facing social care. I cannot understate the seriousness of the position our colleagues in social care find themselves in following the post-Brexit immigration rules and the pandemic. 

“Whilst increased international recruitment is not the only intervention that is required, we call on the Prime Minister and Home Secretary to act immediately to implement this recommendation together with an additional alteration of the associated minimum salary requirements.”