Fewer people are coming to the UK from other countries to work in the NHS and social care, with charities warning that the sector risks being unable keep pace with ‘even basic healthcare needs.’
The latest data, released yesterday, showed that the Home Office approved 89,085 visas for the health and care sector in the year to June 2024, down more than 80% on April to June in 2023.
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In May this year, Home Office figures revealed a drop in the overseas care worker applications, with a reduction of over 50% between October 2023 and April 2024.
The Conservative government introduced restrictions on foreign workers in December, at a time when the number of domestic workers working in the care sector was falling.
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Responding to the latest data, Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, commented that the government is ‘running out of time to listen’, calling on ‘those now in power to take ownership of their inherited situation’.
He warned: ‘Adult social care needs a fully funded workforce plan, with boosted pay, terms and conditions, the change for career progression, parity of esteem with NHS colleagues. Without this, our sector risks not having enough staff to deliver the care and support this country’s needs now, or in the future.’
A spokesperson for the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) said a fall in the number of people coming from abroad to work in health and social care ‘will have a major impact on the workforce.’
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The QNI added: ‘Significantly greater investment in domestic education and recruitment is needed for nurses and allied health professionals, especially in the community, primary care and social care, if we are to keep pace with even basic healthcare needs in the UK.’
