Overseas
nurses recruited to alleviate NHS shortages are suffering low pay, exploitation
and double standards, research claims.
A
survey by the Royal College of Nursing of more than 1,100 overseas nurses shows
that one in three had to pay agency fees of up to £2,000 to secure a place in
the UK. Over a third of Filipino nurses had to pay commission after securing a
job, 22 per cent were forced to pay air fares, 13 per cent for training and 11
per cent an introductory fee.
The
study also reveals a culture of low support, racism and poor pay in the health
sector with international nurses getting salaries of around £600 less than
British staff, despite having between five and 20 years’ experience.
Tracy
Myhill, president of AHHRM, said overseas recruitment was critical to the NHS
and HR must improve the way it dealt with foreign staff. “We have to improve
the way we recruit nurses from overseas and how we are supporting them when
they get here,” she said.
Just
under half of those questioned felt that their UK colleagues received better
treatment, while a third said their qualifications were not respected.
Myhill
called for mentoring and buddy schemes to help integrate foreign staff but
admitted HR practices had to improve.
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