In today's increasingly globalised world, recruiting clinical professionals from overseas can be a valuable strategy for UK primary care managers seeking to address staffing shortages and enhance their workforce diversity. 

This process may present unique challenges, but it also offers significant opportunities for growth and innovation.

Why recruit from outside the UK?

Recruiting the right clinical staff in the UK has become increasingly challenging in recent years. According to the BMA, workforce shortages and retention issues have reached a critical point, with many healthcare professionals facing burnout and leaving the profession. This has aggravated existing pressures on the NHS and made it difficult for practices to fill vacancies.

By expanding your talent pool beyond UK borders, practices can address staffing shortages and access a wider range of qualified individuals. Overseas recruitment can often be more cost-effective, (especially in regions where there is high competition for talent), and they can often bring unique skills and expertise that can benefit your practice team and contribute to a more innovative and dynamic work environment.

Conduct a Needs Assessment

Before embarking on the recruitment journey, it is essential to conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify the specific roles and skill sets required to address your practice's needs and goals. Evaluate your practice's capacity and resources to support new recruits, including the required (and available) available mentorship, training, and infrastructure. This will help you determine the feasibility and potential benefits of the process.

Define Your Target Markets

Research countries with a strong pool of qualified healthcare professionals who may be interested in working in the UK. Consider visa requirements, cultural compatibility, and language proficiency when selecting target regions so you can tailor your recruitment efforts and increase your chances of attracting suitable candidates.

Create a Compelling Job Description

Do you have a clear and concise job description that accurately reflects the role's responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits? Highlight the unique selling points of your practice and the UK healthcare system to attract talented professionals. A well-written job description will pique the interest of potential candidates and increase the likelihood of getting some quality applications from the ‘good fit’ that you’re looking for.

Use Effective Recruitment Channels

If time and resources are an issue, find a reputable recruitment agency to work with, who specialises in international healthcare recruitment. Use online job boards and social media platforms to reach a wider audience. Ask some of your network if they know of international healthcare organisations and associations you could contact or advertise to. Using a variety of channels increases your chances of finding qualified professionals who are interested in working in the UK.

Prepare for Visa Sponsorship

Understand the UK visa sponsorship process and requirements to ensure compliance with immigration laws. Obtain a sponsor license if necessary to legally employ foreign workers. Gather the required documentation for visa applications, including proof of employment, qualifications, and financial support. Good preparation can streamline the process and minimise delays.

Cultural Awareness and Integration

Provide cultural training and orientation for both new recruits and existing staff to foster understanding and respect. Create a welcoming and inclusive work environment that values diversity and promotes collaboration. Why not establish a mentoring or buddy system to pair new recruits with experienced colleagues who can offer guidance, support, and cultural insights?

Support and Assistance

Offer assistance with accommodation, immigration, and cultural adaptation to help new recruits settle into the UK. Provide language support if needed to facilitate effective communication and integration. Ensuring access to necessary resources and training will support new hires in their roles and professional development.

Monitor and Evaluate

Track the success of your overseas recruitment efforts to measure their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Gather feedback from new recruits and existing staff to gain insights into their experiences and identify any challenges or areas for support. Make sure you adjust your recruitment strategy as needed to optimise your results and ensure ongoing success.

Key Points to Remember

The Health and Care Visa is available to a range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and adult social care workers. To be eligible, applicants must have a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, meet the minimum salary threshold, demonstrate English language proficiency, and meet the other specified criteria.

(Please note that recent changes have affected the ability of care workers to bring dependents).
Key benefits of the Health and Care Visa include faster processing times, reduced fees, and a dedicated support service from UKVI. Additionally, the visa does not require the Immigration Health Surcharge and has relaxed requirements for the Certificates of Sponsorship. These changes make it easier for healthcare professionals to obtain a visa and work in the UK.

Benefits for Overseas Professionals

The Health and Care Visa offers several benefits for overseas professionals. Applicants can expect faster processing times, with decisions typically made within three weeks. Additionally, the visa comes with reduced fees compared to other skilled worker visas.

Furthermore, the Health and Care Visa provides access to a dedicated support service from UKVI, offering assistance and guidance throughout the application process. Importantly, successful visa holders may become eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after five years of continuous residence, providing a pathway to permanent residency.

Some Key Points to Remember:

•    Eligible Roles: Doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care workers.
•    Eligibility Requirements: Qualified professionals, job offer with a licensed UK sponsor, meeting the salary threshold, English language proficiency, and other criteria.
•    Changes for Care Workers: As of March 11, 2024, care workers and senior care workers can no longer bring dependents. Existing care workers are unaffected.
•    Sponsorship Requirements: Only CQC-registered providers in England can sponsor Health and Care Visa applicants.
•    Salary Threshold: Increased to £29,000 or £23,200 for occupations on national pay scales.
•    Immigration Health Surcharge: Does not apply (existing posts could also apply for a refund)
•    Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS): plans to increase the family visa salary threshold to £38,700 is currently suspended.
•    Resident Labour Market Test: No longer applies.
•    Points System: 70 points required.
•    Dedicated Support: UKVI offers a dedicated support service for individuals and their family members.

Practical Tips for Primary Care Managers

Primary care managers considering recruiting overseas healthcare professionals should familiarise themselves with the Health and Care Visa process. This includes understanding the specific requirements, procedures, and potential challenges involved. Additionally, practices may need to obtain a sponsor license to legally employ foreign workers.

To ensure a successful recruitment process, it is essential to provide comprehensive support to new recruits. This includes offering assistance with accommodation, immigration, and cultural adaptation. Building relationships with recruitment agencies and using online platforms can also help attract qualified candidates. Furthermore, preparing your practice for cultural differences and providing staff training can foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for new recruits. By maintaining open communication and providing ongoing support, primary care managers can create a positive experience for overseas professionals and successfully integrate them into their teams.

By following these steps and tailoring your approach to your specific needs, you can successfully recruit clinical professionals from overseas and enhance the quality and diversity of your primary care practice.

Why not list your job vacancy with us? Our jobs page gets over 120,000 page views per year. As well as appearing on the FPM website until its closing date, your job we advertise will be promoted on our social media platforms to thousands of followers. 

Or use our specialist Recruitment Consultancy service - our end-to-end service for clients where we run the whole process. Contact us here for more on this.