Should healthcare
workers undergo
English language tests?
13 November 2014
The Department of Health launches open consultation on proposed English language tests for UK healthcare workers.
A proposed introduction of English language tests for nurses, midwives, dentists, dental care professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from the European Economic Area (EEA) has been opened for discussion until 15 December 2014. Ministers from the four UK health departments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales wish to improve public protection by ensuring that only healthcare professionals who have a sufficient knowledge of the English language are able to work in the UK, thereby helping to avoid serious risk to patients’ safety.
The national health departments have worked with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Dental Council, the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland to ensure that they are able to facilitate the testing of EEA healthcare workers’ English language capabilities in a way that is compliant with European law without impairing free movement for health officials within the EEA.
Should the proposed changes to current legislation go ahead, healthcare professionals moving to the UK from the EEA will be required to provide evidence of their English language skills once their qualification has been recognised.
The open consultation will run until 15 December 2014.
So what do YOU think?
Responses can be submitted:
- online
- by email to: HRDlistening@dh.gsi.gov.uk
- by post to: Language controls for health professionals, Professional Standards, Room 2N09, Department of Health, Quarry House, Leeds, LS2 7UE
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