22.01.20
NHS Employers launches international recruitment toolkit
NHS Employers has today (Jan 22) published a new international recruitment toolkit commissioned by Department for Health and Social Care, in collaboration with NHS England and Improvement and Health Education England.
The new toolkit is designed to support collaborative, effective and ethical international recruitment in the NHS.
It will be aimed at colleagues involved in leading and delivering international recruitment, encouraging and enabling good practices and processes for international staff across a wide range of professions.
The resource can be used to plan the overseas recruitment process, and receive the quality and efficiency of existing processes.
The toolkit is broken down into eight main sections; Introduction, planning, preparing for recruitment, recruiting, induction and beyond, evaluation, overseas nurse recruitment and overseas doctor recruitment.
It comes after the government promise of 50,000 new nurses in the NHS and a fast-track visa for international health professionals.
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, part of the NHS Confederation, said:
“The NHS has, throughout its history, been enriched by the contribution from colleagues from all over the world, bringing their talents and expertise to join our teams and care for our patients. This recruitment must be thoughtful and ethical, and these vital colleagues can need particular support as they adjust to new working environments and requirements.
"This toolkit, commissioned by the Secretary of State and the NHS Interim People Plan, builds on existing best practice and helps employers by setting out practical advice so that they can recruit the best international staff, alongside their main focus on domestic recruitment and retention.
"We continue to make the case for targeted government support for the recruitment of social care and health workers in the planned new points-based immigration system."
Health Minister Edward Argar said:
“From nurses to neurologists, healthcare workers from around the world make a vital contribution to our wonderful NHS.
“This Government’s commitment to deliver 50,000 more nurses by 2024/25 is clear. Alongside our ambitious plans to recruit more homegrown talent, supporting the NHS to recruit more talented individuals from overseas is another key element to achieving this.
“As one of the largest employers in the world it’s vital the NHS adheres to the highest standards, recruiting in the most effective and ethical way, and delivering the best value for taxpayers.”