“That’s why I want to say directly to the 110,000 EU workers in our health and care system – you do a brilliant job for your patients, you are a crucial part of our NHS, and as a country we value you.  “Ten per cent of our doctors, and more than 20,000 NHS nurses, are from another EU country, and we simply could not do without their contribution,” he added.  Health service leaders are concerned that the referendum vote could leave overseas workers feeling unwelcome in the UK, even before decisions are taken about migration rules.  For several years, nurses coming here from outside the EU have undergone language tests.  In January, the NMC extended the system, to cover nurses coming here from within Europe.  It followed concerns that too many nurses with poor grasp of English were being allowed to work in Britain.  But the regulator today announced plans to amend its system, giving nurses and midwives two sittings, instead of one, in which to achieve the required standards.  Jackie Smith, NMC chief executive, said: “We are mindful of the staffing pressures in the health service and after listening to feedback from stakeholders we have introduced changes to our process.”  She said the regulator would continue to listen to feedback from nurses and their employers, and “assess any opportunities to introduce further flexibility.”  Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association expressed concern about the changes to the rules.  While overseas nurses made a valuable contribution to healthcare, patients too often suffered as a result of language problems, she said.  “There are real issues with nurses from other countries, including problems with communication and a lack of understanding of processes and procedures,” said Mrs Murphy, who called for an expansion in nurse training within the UK.  “If the NHS does employ nurses from other countries, it must ensure that they are fully qualified and competent to carry out their duties and that they are competent enough in English to effectively communicate with patients.”  It comes amid a growing crisis in nurse recruitment, with nine in 10 hospitals having declared staff shortages in recent months.  Between 2012/13 and 2014/15, the number of nurses registering from EU countries almost doubled, with 7,518 new registrants in 2014/15, official figures show.  Around one in six nurses registered to work in the UK is trained abroad.  Until now, overseas nurses taking exams under the International English Language Testing System have been required to achieve level seven in reading, writing, speaking and listening in one sitting.  Under the new protocols the NMC still requires applicants to achieve the same standard, but this can be achieved over two sittings, within six months.  The relaxation only applies if nurses have achieved scores of at least 6.5 in each of the four areas tested, the regulator said.
Rules on language testing for foreign nurses are to be relaxed, amid fears of an exodus of overseas workers in the wake of the Brexit vote.