Restrictions on overseas nurse recruitment amended to meet demand

Restrictions on nurse recruitment from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are to be temporarily changed to ensure safe staffing levels across the NHS.

The government has announced that nurses are to be added to the government's shortage occupation list on an interim basis, meaning nurses from outside the EEA that apply to work in the UK will have their applications for nursing posts prioritised.

This will ease pressure on the NHS at a time when the government is introducing tough new controls on expensive agency spending, enhancing continuity of care for patients.

The independent Migration Advisory Committee will review the change and present further evidence to the government by February 2016.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "The temporary changes announced today will ensure the NHS has the nurses it needs to deliver the highest standards of care without having to rely on rip-off staffing agencies."

The incoming cap on charges for agency staff is set to be introduced with the aim of reducing NHS spend by one billion pounds over three years.