Changes to Immigration Rules

Care England, the largest representative body for independent care providers for adult social carehas welcome the Home Office’s announcement that all nurses will be exempted from Tier 2 (General) limit.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:

“We applaud the Government for exempting nurses working in social care as well as those in the NHS. Whilst this may be a quick fix solution it sends an important message to nurses that they are a vital profession and the backbone of adult social care”.

The changes were made during a statement to the House of Commons Changes to Immigration Rules https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-06-15/HCWS768

Social care providers, already impossibly squeezed by reductions in adult social care funding, increased regulatory costs and the introduction of the National Living Wage, are facing extreme cost pressures from being forced to rely on agency nursing. Some are being forced to close or re-purpose nursing homes due to a lack of nurses in the sector. This diminishes the supply of nursing home beds across the country, and this means that more people who should receive nursing in a social care setting are avoidably admitted to hospital.

Martin Green continues:

“Care England will strive to continue to work with the Home Office to find a longer term solution, one that involves encouraging nurses living and working in the UK to train and practise. Nursing in social care is a varied and fulfilling profession and as seen of late, it is also essential”.