Previous concerns regarding the drop in EU nurses both applying and increase in leaving the NMC register, were overshadowed today by new figures announcing more UK nurses and midwives are leaving the profession, than joining. UK nurses make up around 85% of the register, compared to EU workers who make up 5%.
Although retirement was given as a main reason for leaving, The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have said data shows more are leaving the register before retirement age, with a noticeable increase in those aged under 40. Of everyone who left in 2016/17, 2,901 were in the 21-30 age group, a figure which has almost doubled since 2012/13.
Janet Davies, Chief Executive for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said: “The average nurse is £3,000 worse off in real terms compared to 2010.
“The 1% cap means nursing staff can no longer afford to stay in the profession and scrapping student funding means people can no longer afford to join it.”
Davies discussed how the government removing the NHS bursaries from August 1st 2017, means there is fears this will harm the number choosing to opt into the profession.
The RCN state poor working conditions and staffing levels as a main contributor to the number of nurses leaving the profession, calling on the government to scrap the 1% public sector pay cap as a matter of urgency.
Although the government argue there are now 13,000 more nurses working in England compared to 2010. Despite unions warning a shortage of 40,000 nurses and 3,500 midwives in England alone.
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