The UK has updated its code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care staff to align with the World Health Organization (WHO), in doing so widening the global market from which the UK can ethically recruit.

The government says the new guidance will provide increasing numbers of international staff with the opportunity to come and work in the UK’s health and social care sectors.

The CoP sets out how the UK can work collaboratively with governments from around the world, forming partnerships to benefit health and social care workers, their country of origin and the UK.

The updated CoP aligns with the principles set out in the WHO’s global code of practice and represents an important step forward in the UK’s approach to ethical recruitment.

It will:

• Ensure international recruits will be treated fairly and be provided with the appropriate support
• Provide safeguards against active recruitment from 47 countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List
• Set out how the UK is supporting countries with the most pressing health and social care workforce challenges

Together with ‘robust’ plans to increase UK-trained nurses, the government says an increase in health and social staff from overseas will help to meet its manifesto commitment for 50,000 more nurses by 2024. There are already over 10,500 more nurses working in the NHS compared with last year.

The CoP clearly sets out responsibilities for recruiters, employers and the government on how to maintain ethical recruitment on an ongoing basis and will ensure countries with the weakest health systems are protected.

Minister for Care Helen Whateley said: “I am hugely grateful for all of the frontline health and social care workers from overseas who have worked tirelessly to save lives and provide the best possible care during this pandemic.

“We will work with countries all over the world to promote the best standards of ethical recruitment of health and social care staff and I look forward to welcoming more incredible talent to the UK.”