The proposals include a new electronic certificate intended to speed up job applications and improve mobility for those who want to work in a different country.
It is hoped they will also improve patient safety across Europe, as they feature new minimum training standards and an alert mechanism to weed out incompetent practitioners.
The
NMC was involved in the review of changes by the
European Commission.
NMC chair, Professor Tony Hazell, said: ‘The proposals are an important step although there is still more that can be done to ensure only those individuals who are fully competent gain entry to the register.
‘This includes allowing the NMC to require the same evidence of English language competency as is required of those who trained overseas.
‘The care that nurses and midwives deliver requires professionals who possess the technical and analytical skills required to practise safely as well as be able to communicate effectively with patients and their families.
‘We welcome the proposal for the systemic exchange of fitness to practise information, however, we would like it to be extended to cover all fitness to practise sanctions, including those which fall short of suspension or exclusion from the professional register.’
UK Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin said mutual recognition of qualifications had been undermined by ‘inadequate checks on healthcare professionals’.
She added: ‘These proposals will make it easier for qualified professionals to apply for jobs across the single market, and harder for unqualified professionals to gain employment in sensitive sectors such as healthcare.’
It is hoped the proposals will be finalised by the end of 2012, which would mean they become law in 2014.
