‘Dangerous’ NHS loophole puts patients at risk as EU nurses are hired without competency tests, warns watchdog
Regulator calls on ministers to use Brexit to 'tighten up rules and put patient protection first'
PATIENTS are being put at risk by EU nurses allowed to work in the NHS without “competency” checks, a regulator warns.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council is now calling on ministers to use Brexit to close the dangerous loophole.
It comes as the number of EU nurses registered in the UK has tripled in the past four years.
Non-European nurses face skills tests before they are allowed to practice in Britain.
But under EU law, the regulator cannot carry out such checks on workers arriving from member states.
It means nurses out of practice for a “significant length of time” can still automatically work in British hospitals and care homes.
The watchdog told MPs this “poses a public protection risk”.
It added: “While we can assure ourselves of the ability to practise of non-EU trained nurses and midwives through a test of competence before we register them, we are prevented from doing this for EU migrants.”
Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern, said the loophole must be closed.
She said: “It’s frightening. This seems like a dangerous loophole.
“It’s quite ridiculous being forced to employ a nurse who hasn’t worked for years without further checks.
“We need to tighten up the rules and put patient protection first.”
The number of European nurses and midwives registered to work in UK has soared.
It’s ridiculous being forced to employ a nurse who hasn’t worked for years without further checks
In 2015/16, there were 9,388 allowed to practice in Britain, compared to 3,137 in 2011/12.
The watchdog’s comments were made in a written submission to the Commons’ Health Committee.
Jeremy Hunt will today give evidence to MPs about the impact of Brexit on the NHS and social care.
There are 38,000 EU nurses registered to work in the UK, out of a total of 690,000 – around one in 18.
The NMC said it wants to carry out similar checks on all overseas nurses following Brexit.
The doctors’ watchdog has previously raised similar concerns.
It previously warned EU law puts British patients at risk, as medics from member states can skip vital checks.
The General Medical Council told MPs “we would like to be able to check that doctors coming to practise here from Europe meet the same standards as those who qualify in the UK and outside Europe”.
And a leading medic said Brexit could save lives by allowing the NHS to introduce tough new language tests.
Clare Marx, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said EU rules forced the health service to accept lower standards.
And she warned it “sometimes put patients at risk”.
But Miss Marx said Brexit “allows us to correct this”.
Grandad David Gray, 70, died when a German medic who could barely speak English accidentally gave him a massive overdose of painkillers.
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And in a separate case, Nigerian Dr Lucius Okere — who qualified in Italy — worked at 14 NHS hospitals even though he did not know basic phrases.
Janet Davies, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “The nursing workforce has taken one blow after another — under-staffing, impossible caseloads, poor pay and being forced to make life and death decisions in hospital corridors.
“European regulations ensure a standard of education and skill. Any new regulatory requirements will need to balance recognising the skills and experience these nurses bring with patient safety.
“But with 24,000 vacant nursing posts across the UK, we and other health organisations are pressing for those currently working here to be allowed to remain.”
