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.

The move means that increasing numbers of international staff will have the opportunity to come and work in the UK’s health and social care sectors to deliver world-class care.

The updated code of practice 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. It 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.

The CoP 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, as well as set out how the UK is supporting countries with the most pressing health and social care workforce challenges.

It is hoped that this will help to meet the government’s manifesto commitment for 50,000 more nurses by 2024.

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. Alongside our ambition to increase the number of UK-based nurses, this will allow us to continue to deliver world-class care to patients for years to come.”