Received from: SoR
Merged into composite C03
Received from SoR
Short-termism and underinvestment created the NHS’s workforce crisis. Insufficient allied health professionals (AHPs) have been trained to meet current and future demand, whilst terms and conditions contribute to a retention crisis. Nowhere is this more evident than radiography, with staff shortages the root cause of excessive waiting lists for diagnosis and cancer treatment.
The government is investing more, including funding more radiography equipment and staff, but it will take many years to close the gap between demand and supply. The UK is reliant upon successfully competing in the global marketplace for skilled AHPs into the 2030’s, regardless of how many new student and apprenticeship places government fund.
The NHS has pockets of excellent practice but for a majority of new internationally recruited AHPs the offer is insufficient and uncompetitive.
Proposed changes to immigration rules are also counter-productive, particularly doubling the qualifying time to secure a right to remain to 10 years, actively discouraging women with young families from choosing the UK.
Congress calls on the TUC to:
i. champion the importance of international recruitment in sustaining an NHS recovery
ii. actively oppose any immigration rule changes that make it harder to recruit and retain internationally trained AHPs
iii. press government to fund competitive recruitment and retention offers so the NHS can compete internationally
iv. assist AHP unions in identifying and promoting best practice in recruiting, onboarding and retaining any overseas professionals.
Society of Radiographers