§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has held with the928W Nursing and Midwifery Council on the eligibility of applicants from EU accession countries to register in the UK from 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [162089]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department has kept in frequent contact with the Nursing and Midwifery Council both directly and through a meeting this week with the Alliance of UK Health Regulators on Europe to ensure that all the health care regulatory bodies are aware of their responsibilities in registering applicants from the new member states after 1 May 2004.
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether proficiency in the use of the English language is a requirement for nurses from the European Union seeking to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in order to work in the NHS. [162091]
§ Mr. HuttonNurses who are European Economic Area nationals do not have to undertake English language competency tests in order to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The law does not currently permit this. It is the responsibility of national health service employers to ensure that all nurses they employ have the necessary English language competence to carry out their duties safely. They may require a nurse to undertake a language assessment as part of the recruitment process, regardless of which country they come from.