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COVID-19: temporary nurse register expanded to include overseas-trained staff

More than 2,000 nurses who applied for permanent registration invited to join UK workforce

More than 2,000 nurses who applied for permanent registration invited to join UK workforce

Graduate Filipino nurses during an oath-taking ceremony in the City of Pasay, Manila, Philippines, are part of the overseas cohort invited to join the UK temporary nurse register.
Graduate Filipino nurses, pictured during an oath-taking ceremony in the City of Pasay, Manila, Philippines, are part of the overseas cohort invited to join the UK temporary nurse register Picture: Shutterstock

The COVID-19 temporary register is being expanded to include overseas-trained nurses, as the pressure on health and social care services across the UK continues to increase.

About 2,000 nurses who have trained overseas and are ready to undertake the final stage of their permanent registration application process will be invited to join the temporary register.

Rising COVID-19 infection rates ‘putting tremendous strain on healthcare staff’

From next week, overseas-trained nurses whose applications to join the permanent register are in progress will also be contacted.

The move has been agreed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK’s four chief nursing officers.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) chief executive Andrea Sutcliffe said: ‘The impact of rising COVID-19 infection rates and related hospital admissions, alongside winter pressures and the vital roll-out of the vaccine programme, is putting tremendous strain on our health and care professionals.

‘The need for as many people as possible to provide skilled care and support in hospitals, nursing homes and in the community has never been greater to ensure the NHS and social care can continue to provide kind, safe and effective care.’

The NMC tweeted that the change to the temporary register does not include nursing student placements.

The temporary register was established in the first wave of the pandemic in March 2020, and includes thousands of nurses and midwives who the NMC said stand ready to help.

Higher-level PPE more important than ever, especially for nurses from BAME backgrounds

Responding to the announcement, RCN general secretary Donna Kinnair said: ‘With many of the expected overseas nurses coming from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, our concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance takes on a renewed importance.

‘We urge government ministers and scientists to recommend a higher-level PPE as a precaution immediately until more is known about the new variant – this is for all nursing staff working in COVID settings, whether permanent or temporary members of the NMC register.’

In response, a DHSC spokesperson said: ‘UK guidance on the safest levels of PPE is written by experts and agreed by all four chief medical officers. The guidance is kept under constant review based on the latest evidence and data.’

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