Healthcare support workers delivering frontline patient care across the NHS could face a wait of up to 15 years, instead of the current five years, to settle permanently in the UK under the Government's proposed immigration reforms expected later this autumn.  

There is also concern that many of these workers find themselves on the wrong side of a cut-off date imposed by the Home Office for July 2025, which prevents them from renewing their visa or being able to settle in the UK.

Ben Morrin, chief executive of NHS Employers (part of the NHS Alliance), said: ‘If proposals for reform to these rules are confirmed by the Government, not only would it be extremely unfair to change the rules for workers who have planned their lives around them, but it would also leave NHS organisations dealing with an eye-watering bill to the tune of at least £169m.

‘High-quality patient care relies on a contribution from the whole team, including those in vital support roles. The NHS needs stability, fairness and workforce growth, not policies that risk making it harder to retain crucial staff.'