NHS Employers respond to the Nursing and Midwifery Council annual registration report 

Responding to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) annual registration report, Caroline Waterfield, director of development and employment at NHS Employers, part of the NHS Confederation, said:

“It is good to see an increase in the numbers of nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the NMC register, and we welcome the growth in international and UK trained new joiners last year. The NHS hugely benefits from the talented staff attracted from around the world and we know employers have been increasing efforts to offer more training placements, and provide training for new nursing associates and those undertaking the nurse degree apprenticeship.

"The data from the NMC reinforces what we know needs to be done. We need to maintain momentum with all strands of training and recruitment over the coming years and this needs funding as part of the forthcoming long term workforce plan, as well as doubling down on retention. We have two guides to support employers by sharing best practice on retention. The recent publication focuses specifically on those elements of particular importance for retaining internationally trained colleagues."