Overseas Nurse Recruitment Is Sticking Plaster Solution

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Aug 2004

Commenting on Government proposals published today aimed at stopping private agencies recruiting nurses and doctors, from developing countries, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"Overseas recruitment is the Government's sticking plaster solution to the nurse recruitment problem.

"Ministers have finally woken up to the need for action on the loss of key healthcare staff from developing countries. Although a welcome start, the ethical code of practice for recruitment agencies should be made mandatory.

"It is morally indefensible to aggressively recruit nurses from developing countries with their own health crises. It is also not a long-term solution to rely on overseas nurses to the detriment of UK recruitment. The UK is also vulnerable to overseas recruitment with many doctors and nurses going over to the United States."