UKIP has been campaigning for many years for the proper language and skills testing of overseas doctors and nurses that come and work in the UK. Our view has always been that such tests would remove any doubt regarding their ability to do their jobs safely and effectively. Current EU regulation does not allow for such testing. We believe the absence of the required tests puts the welfare of patients at risk.

A report, released 27th July, by the cross party Health Select Committee and it states:’Nurses and midwives from the European Economic Area and Switzerland seeking to practice in the UK cannot routinely be language and competence tested…The Committee takes the view that the current legal framework is at odds with good clinical practice, which is clearly unacceptable.’

Paul Nuttall MEP, UKIP Deputy Leader and member of the Public Health Committee of the European Parliament, said: “The Committee describes current EU regulation as posing a ‘significant risk to patients’ due to the fact that there is no way of ensuring that EU and EEA health practitioners be tested for competence. It is clear as day that these rules are bad for the nation’s health.

“They recommend short-term solutions in the case of doctors but the need for a rapid response is paramount. Sadly this is virtually impossible because of the essential structures of the European Union. The fact is that the EU cannot move fast, and for the UK to get agreement to make the changes needed to improve healthcare in the NHS would require an agreement from all 26 other nations, many of whom are very happy that their doctors, nurses and midwives are working in the NHS for better wages than they could get at home.

“Will the Government be forced into action and implement language and skills testing? They cannot as they are hamstrung by our EU membership. So while their hands are tied we still have doctors and nurses working in hospitals across the UK whose language and medical skills are not up to scratch. It is simply not right.”