EU Nurse Checks: Are Patient Safety Risks Being Ignored?
"Brexit could be an opportunity to tighten regulations and ensure the competence of all nurses practicing in the UK, regardless of their country of origin."
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has voiced concerns that Brexit presents an opportunity to address what it perceives as a dangerous loophole in the assessment of nurse competence. Currently, nurses from outside the European Union (EU) are required to undergo practical competence tests before they can practice in the UK.
However, due to EU directives, nurses and midwives from within the EU are automatically recognized, even if their qualifications are not recent. This discrepancy has led the NMC to believe that patient safety could be compromised.
The issue lies in the NMC's inability to apply the same rigorous checks to EU nurses as it does to those from non-EU countries. This article examines the NMC's concerns, the data supporting their claims, and what steps might be necessary to ensure a uniformly high standard of care for all patients.
The Rising Numbers: How Many EU Nurses Are Practicing in the UK?
The number of nurses and midwives from the EU registering to work in the UK has seen a significant increase in recent years. According to the NMC, registrations nearly tripled between 2011-12 and 2015-16. While the total number of EU nurses on the register is substantial, the core issue is about ensuring consistent standards.
- The NMC registered 9,388 nurses and midwives from the EU to work in the UK in 2015-16.
- This number nearly tripled the number for 2011-12.
- In total, 38,000 of the 690,000 people on the register come from other EU member states.
What's Next? Addressing Competency and Ensuring Patient Safety
The NMC's concerns highlight a critical area of focus for the future of healthcare regulation in the UK. As Brexit unfolds, there's a clear opportunity to re-evaluate and strengthen the processes for ensuring nurse competence.
The goal is not to create unnecessary barriers for qualified nurses but to implement a system that guarantees all nurses practicing in the UK, regardless of their origin, possess the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver safe and effective care. This may involve:
Harmonizing competency assessment: Implementing a standardized assessment process for all nurses, regardless of where they trained. Continuous professional development: Ensuring all nurses have access to ongoing training and development opportunities to maintain and enhance their skills. Increased investment in training: Boosting resources for nurse education and training to ensure a high standard of care.