Immigrant nurses employed at the NHS are struggling and are losing some of their benefits. As the UK battles various financial costs, people see cuts in every situation.
Nurses in Worry Over Finances
Immigrant NHS nursing staff are no longer receiving welfare benefits after the five-year mark. Many nurses are said to be earning way below the pay rate of their peers in the private sector and are faced with a heavier workload and thousands more patients a day.
Nursing Terms & Conditions Undergoing Revamp
Some of the benefits and terms for the NHS staff are changing. This could affect their future working in the country or even their desire to renew their visa.
Concerns for International Nurses
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has voiced its concerns for international nurses working in the UK.
Benefits to Expire
Previous years allowed nurses to apply for benefits after five years of service within the country. Benefits included child support, housing, credit, and more. However, recent changes threaten to remove these benefits.
NHS Investigation
The Chief Executive Professor and General Secretary Nicola Ranger form part of the group assigned to the investigation of the NHS. In July of this year, Wes Streeting, Secretary for the State of Health and Social Care, ordered an investigation into the state of the NHS.
Findings to Reveal Soon
In an interview, Streeting said he would appoint Lord Darzi as head of the investigation as he wants “hard truths.” On 3 September 2024, Lord Darzi and his team will present findings according to the RCN.
NHS Needs the Investigation
Ranger has confirmed that she is happy and welcomes the undertaking from the department to investigate and resolve issues over a ten-year period. She agrees that the NHS is underfunded and lacks resources to meet the high demand of patients.
It Could Get Worse if Staff Leave
Worsening the impact of the NHS struggling even more is the potential that staff might leave. Nurses may leave because their benefits are being removed.
So Many Vacancies, Unhappy Staff
According to the RCN, ranger reported that there are “30,000 vacancies for nurses in the UK.” She also mentioned that nearly half the amount of current nurses manning the NHS have spoken about leaving, Ranger said.
Migrant Nurses Form NHS DNA
The Executive Director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, has shared that the foreign NHS staff has long formed the DNA of the nursing sector in the UK. She expressed that the patients within the NHS’ care “rely” on the nursing staff to care for them.
“Migrant Nurses Deserve Same Benefits Their Local Peers”
She said that migrant nurses deserve the same benefits and treatment as nurses who were trained and qualified in the United Kingdom.
Poverty Looms for NHS Migrant Nurses
Marquis noted that migrant nurses will struggle and are being “forced into poverty.” Despite their commitment to paying taxes and working the same jobs as non-migrant nurses, the ones from abroad will struggle.
Limited 5.5% Wage Increase
Recently, the NHS members were asked to vote regarding “consolidating” the 5.5% pay increase. The increase comes with an addition of terms and conditions changes that will directly affect migrant nurses.
No More ILR
According to the RCN, migrant nurses working for the NHS are taxpayers. However, they forfeit the opportunity to retain the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The new amendments to the NHS Nursing staff terms and conditions are cancelling many of the previous benefits.
Fear of a Mass Exodus of Medical Staff
The NHS is already heavily understaffed and overworked. The new implementations could exacerbate the situation and may lead to staff seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
Undervalued Still They Form the Foundations
Nurses are undervalued, just as other medical staff are. However, they are the foundation of the nation’s well-being.
More Foreign Than Local Doctors in UK
Marquis said that 36% of the NHS’s official doctors are from other countries. However, according to the Guardian, the Home Office has statistics showing that visa applications have been received but are almost 80% less than in the previous year.
Nurses May Get It the Worse
The Cost of living is a struggle for everyone, but it will only worsen for non-UK nurses if the terms and rules are not amended.
Making a Stand
The RCN asked the nurses to state their vote so their voices could be heard before 16 September this year.
Determined to Fix the ‘Broken’ NHS
Streeting has previously remarked that he feels the “NHS is broken” and that it was his responsibility, along with the help of the community and government, to “fix” it again.
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