**Concerns Mount Over Potential Mass Departure of Overseas Nurses in Wales**
New fears have been raised over the future stability of healthcare in Wales, as industry experts warn that changes to immigration policy could lead to a significant loss of internationally trained nurses. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has cautioned that a large-scale departure, or “exodus,” of migrant nurses may have severe consequences for both the National Health Service (NHS) and social care sectors across the nation.
The alarm follows the publication of a recent RCN report entitled *Unreciprocated Care: why internationally educated nursing staff are leaving the UK*. The report, based on feedback from over 3,000 internationally educated nursing professionals working in various health and social care settings – including NHS Wales – highlights the extent of unease within the workforce.
A key finding of the research revealed that 42% of internationally trained nurses are considering leaving the UK, with two-thirds of these individuals exploring opportunities in countries such as Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, rather than returning to their countries of origin. The prospect of this migration trend comes at a particularly challenging time for Wales, where an estimated 2,000 nursing vacancies exist within the NHS alone, and local authorities continue to struggle to attract and retain care staff.
Helen Whyley, the Executive Director of RCN Wales, voiced deep concern about the government’s new immigration measures. She described the invaluable role that internationally educated nurses play in the Welsh health system, but noted, “Many came here to work in good faith, but are now telling us they feel exploited, undervalued, and shut out of the system.” According to Whyley, the latest rules risk not only discouraging new recruits but also “driving away the very professionals who are currently holding our services together.”
Contributing to the desire to leave, the report found that low salaries and restrictive immigration policies were among the most frequently cited reasons. Of those surveyed, 70% mentioned pay as a primary concern, while 40% pointed to difficulties with immigration rules. Currently, foreign nursing staff are prohibited from accessing public support until gaining indefinite leave to remain—a milestone which, under new legislation, will now require a decade to achieve, as opposed to the previous five years.
The emotional burden experienced by these workers should not be underestimated. The report disclosed that more than six in ten (64%) internationally trained nurses have faced discrimination or bias since relocating to the UK. Personal testimonies collected during the RCN’s investigation shed light on this aspect, with one Filipino nurse in Wales recounting an unsuccessful job application, attributing the outcome to perceptions about her nationality rather than her skills or experience. “English is a language, not a measure of nursing ability,” she emphasised, highlighting the implicit barriers many encounter in professional progression.
Further illustrating the challenges, an Indian nurse working in Wales described having been unable to claim maternity benefits after arriving in the country, despite recovering from major surgery and supporting her family on limited leave. Experiences such as these compound feelings of exclusion and financial insecurity, increasing the risk of attrition among internationally recruited staff.
Despite these adversities, there have been notable initiatives aimed at bolstering the health workforce in Wales. In a move celebrated for its ethical approach, the Welsh Government last year formalised an agreement with the Indian state of Kerala, recruiting over 300 overseas doctors and nurses—surpassing initial targets and demonstrating a proactive stance in addressing workforce shortages. However, the RCN argues that such progress risks being undermined by restrictive UK-wide policies and a perceived lack of support for those who have already arrived.
Helen Whyley concluded by urging policymakers to build on positive steps taken within Wales itself. She called for a commitment to fair pay, respectful treatment, and a straightforward, affordable pathway to permanent residency for internationally educated nurses—a message that will no doubt resonate as policymakers grapple with the future of the country’s health and social care systems.
Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the Welsh health sector faces a critical juncture. Stakeholders and leaders in the sector emphasise the need to prioritise retention and inclusion, warning that unless swift, compassionate action is taken, the consequences for patient safety and care provision in Wales could be profound.