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| EU nurse applicants drop by 96% since Brexit vote | EU nurse applicants drop by 96% since Brexit vote |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There has been a sharp drop in nurses registering to work in the UK since the EU referendum, figures suggest. | There has been a sharp drop in nurses registering to work in the UK since the EU referendum, figures suggest. |
| Last July, 1,304 nurses from the EU joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council register, compared to 46 in April this year, a fall of 96%. | Last July, 1,304 nurses from the EU joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council register, compared to 46 in April this year, a fall of 96%. |
| The Health Foundation said the findings could not be more stark and said they should act as a "wake-up call". | The Health Foundation said the findings could not be more stark and said they should act as a "wake-up call". |
| But the NMC said the introduction of English language testing for EU nurses is also likely to have played a role. | But the NMC said the introduction of English language testing for EU nurses is also likely to have played a role. |
| It comes as the NHS is already struggling with nurse vacancies and, without this supply line, shortages could get worse. | It comes as the NHS is already struggling with nurse vacancies and, without this supply line, shortages could get worse. |
| In May, research by the Royal College of Nursing found one in nine posts in England was vacant. | In May, research by the Royal College of Nursing found one in nine posts in England was vacant. |
| The union said it meant the NHS was 40,000 nurses short of what was needed. | The union said it meant the NHS was 40,000 nurses short of what was needed. |
| Vital supply line | Vital supply line |
| The figures - obtained by the Health Foundation under the Freedom of Information Act - cover the numbers applying to go on the register so they do not necessarily mean they are employed by the NHS. | The figures - obtained by the Health Foundation under the Freedom of Information Act - cover the numbers applying to go on the register so they do not necessarily mean they are employed by the NHS. |
| But they give an indication of the supply line from the EU which provides a significant proportion of the workforce. | But they give an indication of the supply line from the EU which provides a significant proportion of the workforce. |
| Anita Charlesworth, director of research and economics at the Health Foundation, said the drop since the Brexit vote could not be more "stark". | Anita Charlesworth, director of research and economics at the Health Foundation, said the drop since the Brexit vote could not be more "stark". |
| "Without EU nurses, it will be even harder for the NHS and other employers to find the staff they need to provide safe patient care. | "Without EU nurses, it will be even harder for the NHS and other employers to find the staff they need to provide safe patient care. |
| "The findings should be a wake-up call to politicians and health service leaders." | "The findings should be a wake-up call to politicians and health service leaders." |
| The NMC has also drawn attention to the introduction of English language tests, which were brought in for EU nurses for the first time in January 2016 - they were already in use for non-EU nurses. | The NMC has also drawn attention to the introduction of English language tests, which were brought in for EU nurses for the first time in January 2016 - they were already in use for non-EU nurses. |
| It normally takes a few months from being tested to making it on to the register so officials believe this could have also played a role in the drop in numbers. | It normally takes a few months from being tested to making it on to the register so officials believe this could have also played a role in the drop in numbers. |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said EU nurses played a "valued" role in the NHS and they would be a priority in Brexit negotiations. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said EU nurses played a "valued" role in the NHS and they would be a priority in Brexit negotiations. |
| 'On the brink' | 'On the brink' |
| But shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the government was making a mess of things. | But shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the government was making a mess of things. |
| "Theresa May's weak and unstable government has pushed NHS services to the brink, and it is patients who will pay the price. | "Theresa May's weak and unstable government has pushed NHS services to the brink, and it is patients who will pay the price. |
| "Our health service has always relied on the contribution of overseas workers, yet these staff are being forced out by this government's neglect and disregard. | "Our health service has always relied on the contribution of overseas workers, yet these staff are being forced out by this government's neglect and disregard. |
| "The Tories are overseeing an unforgivable drain of talent out of our country, because of their chaotic attitude to the Brexit negotiations." | "The Tories are overseeing an unforgivable drain of talent out of our country, because of their chaotic attitude to the Brexit negotiations." |
| And Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb added: "These figures are profoundly worrying and the possible implications for the NHS and patients cannot be underestimated." | And Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb added: "These figures are profoundly worrying and the possible implications for the NHS and patients cannot be underestimated." |
| Overall there are 650,000 nurses on the register. Just over 36,000 of these have been trained in the EU, 5.5% of the total. Another 67,000 come from outside the EU with the rest from the UK. | Overall there are 650,000 nurses on the register. Just over 36,000 of these have been trained in the EU, 5.5% of the total. Another 67,000 come from outside the EU with the rest from the UK. |
| Read more from Nick | Read more from Nick |
| Follow Nick on Twitter | Follow Nick on Twitter |
| Are you an EU nurse who is considering applying to work outside the UK? We'd like to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
| You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |