4 | Nursing in Practice | Summer 2022
NEWS
All you need to know on current issues for nurses working in general practice and the community nursingin practice. co. uk
WORKFORCE
NMC issues warning as number of nurses leaving the register rises
The number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates registered to practise in the UK has grown, but so has the number of people leaving the register, the NMC has revealed.
The NMC annual report for 2021-22 showed the register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates grew by 26,403 to 758,303 – including almost 705,000 nurses, more than 40,000 midwives and nearly 7,000 nursing associates.
However, the number of people leaving the register also rose by 3,199 to 27,133, an increase of 13 % on the year before. This brought an end to four consecutive annual falls in the number of leavers.
The most common reasons for leaving were retirement( 43 %) and a change in personal circumstances( 22 %). However, these were followed by too much pressure( 18 %), poor workplace culture( 13 %) and the influence of the pandemic( 12 %).
The number of people joining the register for the first time also rose by
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13,919 to 48,436, and almost half of first-time joiners trained outside the UK. Chief executive and registrar at the NMC Andrea Sutcliffe said:‘ Our register is at the highest level ever. But a closer look at our data reveals warning signs.’
Ms Sutcliffe said a focus on retention as well as recruitment needed to be part of a sustainable workforce plan to meet rising demand. She also cautioned that workforce growth had become more reliant on staff trained overseas.
‘ These [ international ] professionals make a welcome and vital contribution to our nation’ s health and wellbeing. But we can’ t take them for granted,’ she said.
RCN chief executive Pat Cullen also questioned the sustainability of recruiting half of all new nurses from overseas.‘ The UK’ s health and care workforce is proudly diverse, but it must be done ethically and at the same time as increased investment in education and domestic staff,’ she said. See comment, page 18.
In brief
NHS launches review into‘ digital readiness’ of nurses and midwives The NHS has launched a review to ensure the nursing and midwifery workforce is equipped to deal with future technological challenges.
Led by Dr Natasha Phillips, chief nursing information officer at NHS England, and international vice-chair Dr Jeanette Ives Erickson, the Phillips Ives Nursing & Midwifery Review will call on evidence from healthcare professionals from within the NHS and aboard, and take around a year to complete. For details on getting involved, go to bit. ly / 3NAJSSj. See comment, page 20
NMC to consider accepting employer English language references The NMC is considering accepting employer English language references as part of a proposed overhaul of requirements for overseas applicants, with a view to implementing any changes from October.
It plans to consult on three specific changes: the scores it accepts for language tests; whether to accept evidence of non-registered practice in English supported by an employer reference or other evidence; and whether to accept non-nursing or midwifery postgraduate qualifications taught and examined in English.