India: Highest source for nurses in Britain

London: Amid some recent concerns over Indian health professionals facing discrimination in western countries, a recent report shows that India was the source of the largest number of nurses recruited from non-European Union countries into Britain's National Health Service (NHS) between the years 2009-2015.

According to a report released by the Migration Advisory Committee(MAC) of Home Offices, nurses from India and Philippines tend to have better English skills which make them preferable for the service.

Recently, The British Association of Physicians of Indian origin had expressed concern over Indian and other non-Eu health professionals facing discrimination in the NHS.

A total of 6138 Indian nurses were recruited between the years 2009 and 2015 who amount for 37% of Non-EU nurses employed by NHS trusts. Philippines, Nigeria, Nepal and Australia are other countries which took place in the top five sources of recruitment.

David Metcalf, Chairman of MAC says, "There is no good reason why the supply of nurses cannot be sourced domestically. There seems to be an automatic presumption that non-EEA skilled migration provides the health and care sector with a 'Get out of Jail Free' card" blaming the health sector itself for the shortage of nurses.

MAC had previously discovered that non-EU nurses were being paid £6,000 less than equivalent UK nurses on an average.

(The article was originally published in hindustantimes.com)