RCN restates support for overseas nurses

Published: 04 February 2013

The Royal College of Nursing has been made aware of concerns being circulated by email that the RCN is working alongside the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to prevent foreign nurses from practising in the NHS. The RCN wants to make it clear that this is incorrect and that the RCN is doing nothing of the sort. Instead, the RCN has been actively supporting members who have come to the UK from overseas health services in both its everyday work and in activity with parliamentarians.

Furthermore, the RCN is the professional trade union for nursing staff.  It supports members in employment difficulties, and this includes representing members when complaints are made about them to the NMC.  This is a very important service for members and the RCN has an excellent track record in representing nurses who are subjected to unjustified complaints.  Last year, approximately three quarters of the NMC cases handled by the RCN for its members resulted in a finding of no case to answer or no sanction against the nurse.

Wendy Irwin, RCN Equality and Diversity Manager, said: “Without the support, care and expertise of overseas nursing staff, the NHS simply wouldn't be able to function. The NHS depends on their hard work and dedication and millions of patients are grateful for the care they have received. The RCN is also working hard to protect nurses from experiencing unfair treatment through our Is that discrimination? project.

The RCN has recently written to Maria Miller, Minister for Equalities, about the current review of the Public Sector Equality Duty, calling for it to be retained and protected. The letter asserts the value and necessity of the public sector equality duty and cites RCN support of it when introduced as part of the Equality Act 2010.

The RCN has finalised a submission to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration. The inquiry looked into the effect of new rules upon foreign workers that increased the earning threshold at which individuals are entitled to bring their family to the UK. The RCN has stated it is unfair and will continue to work on behalf of these nurses to ensure they are able to work in the UK and deliver much-needed care to patients.