Foreign midwives and nurses without recent experience are registering in the UK, but midwifery is 'safeguarded'

Midwives and nurses from across the EU, who haven't worked with patients in 20 years, are being registered to work in the UK, a house of lords inquiry heard.

The NMC is being forced to accept foreign applicants, despite the fact that they have no recent experience.

It is being made to accept the applications as British nurses and midwives with up-to-date training have had to leave the profession.



The council's chief executive, Dickon Weir-Hughes, said EU legislation on the free movement of workers means a two-tier system is being used.

But the RCM has said while the situation does apply to midwifery, advice from supervisors and the return to practice programme ‘safeguards’ the profession.

Sue Jacob, RCM student services advisor, said: ‘This case presents an interesting dilemma and it also applies to midwifery, but many midwives from EU, despite being on the NMC register, opt to undertake the RCM return to practice programmeon the advice from supervisors of midwives.

‘So it can be argued that the supervision of midwifery safeguards such practices in midwifery.

‘The return to practice programme has been used by EU midwives to gain confidence in UK model of midwifery practice.

‘This highlights the strength and case for supporting and strengthening UK supervision of midwives model and should be extended to all health care profession as an urgent measure to protect the public.’

The revelation came in evidence to a lords sub-committee investigating the mobility of healthcare professionals between member states.

Weir-Hughes, said to peers: ‘We now have a situation whereby we are admitting people who literally have not been near a patient for 20 years, have done no CPD and have to be admitted to the register because they have freedom of movement and rights.

‘Yet if they were a UK-registered nurse or midwife, they would not be allowed to continue. Indeed, they would have to do a return-to-practice course at a school of nursing.’

The European commission is reviewing the rules governing mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

The government and healthcare bodies have been pressing for changes for two years
 and the sub-committee is preparing the report on current arrangements.