MAC confirms nurses to remain on UK shortage occupation list

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended that nurses remain on the government’s shortage occupation list.

In its report, Partial Review of the Shortage Occupation List: Review of nursing, it claimed the current shortage of nurses is a result of factors which should have been anticipated by the health, care and independent sectors.

Among the issues, it cited an ageing population, inadequate staff training, pay and recruitment which have been worsened by the squeeze on NHS budgets.

Commenting on the decision, Professor David Metcalf CBE, chair of the MAC, said: “We have reluctantly made this recommendation. However, there is no good reason why the supply of nurses cannot be sourced domestically. There seems to be an automatic presumption that non-EEA skilled migration provides the health and care sector with a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card.

“The long term solution to addressing this shortage is recruiting and retaining staff by providing sufficient incentive and opportunity.”

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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