Recruitment in Britain’s NHS — 3 in-demand careers that you could pursue

Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) turned 70 this year — and in the decades since it’s establishment by then minister of health and housing Aneurin Bevan, the free at the point of delivery service has benefited families from all strata of society.

But it’s faced increasingly severe funding problems thanks to austerity cuts following the 2008 financial crash and a recruitment crisis since the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016.

On the flipside of these problems are opportunities for health workers from outside the EU who might want to migrate to Britain to secure the future of one of its finest institutions.
So here are three in-demand careers you could pursue in Britain’s NHS.

1. Nursing and midwifery

In the year following the Brexit vote in June 2016, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reported that EU nurse applications to join the NHS dropped by a staggering 96%.

And by January 2018, NHS Digital reported that there were 34,260 unfilled nursing and midwifery vacancies in England — with Surrey, Kent, Sussex and all areas of London finding recruitment particularly difficult.

Nurses from nations like Jamaica and India are being recruited in an attempt to plug the gap, but it’ll be some time before this branch of the NHS is anywhere near optimal operational capacity.

If you’re a nurse qualified outside Europe, contacting the NMC about non-EU/EEA qualifications and application criteria is the best first step towards translating your skillset to UK hospitals.

2. Dentistry

If tackling toothcare is your medical forte, you might find a bright new career in the NHS.

In February 2018, the British Dental Association (BDA) reported that a dentist recruitment crisis meant that over two-thirds of NHS practices in England recruiting in the preceding year had problems filling vacancies — while some existing practitioners are leaving to concentrate solely on private practice.

And General Dental Council (GDC) stats for the period 2006-2016 show that 40% of new entrants to the professional register came from overseas — although a lack of clarity over the government’s post-Brexit plans means EEA registrants are starting to move elsewhere.

Checking Health Education England recruitment guidance can help you decipher whether your existing dentistry qualification is mutually-recognized, or if you’ll need to pass an overseas registration examination.

3. Healthcare management

To cope with meeting treatment targets and improving outcomes against a backdrop of financial pressures and recruitment and retention issues, the NHS needs talented managers more than ever.

And as the organization has become more diverse and complex, the sharp coordination and administration skills of leaders is as crucial as their people skills.

So if you’re currently working in health management or can envisage adapting your general management skills, the NHS could be a fulfilling final destination.

Studying for an online Healthcare Management MSc from a British institution can help you convert your skill set and boost your CV.

So there are three in-demand careers you could pursue in the NHS — research your visa and application requirements and take the first step towards an exciting new vocation.

Have you migrated to work for the NHS? Share your experiences in the comments section.


Written by Kevin Fullerton