It is a great relief for the international health care professionals who have been dreaming to work in the UK NHS. The Council has recommended to agree to the changes below to our English language requirements. The new changes are subject to the approval and is expected to be effective from January 2023.
The council verified 2 key changes to existing English language requirements
a) To extend the validity period for combining test scores (clubbed scores) of 2 IELTS (academic) or 2 OET from six months to twelve months.
b) Standardize the minimum test scores when combining two scores, so the minimum score is; no more than 0.5 below the required score for all language domains for IELTS (minimum score for reading, speaking and listening when test combining = 6.5; minimum score for writing when test combining is 6); or no more than half a grade below the required score for all language domains for OET (minimum score for reading, speaking and listening when test combining = C+; minimum score for writing when test combining is C).
For those who are working in the health and care set up in the UK:
A proposal has been submitted for accepting an employer reference as supporting evidence of English Language proficiency for those who are:
a)Trained in English but in a non-majority English speaking country, would still need to provide evidence that their training and assessment was in English;
b) Those who do not achieve the required score by 0.5 (IELTS) or half a grade (OET) on only one of the four language domains (known as evidence type 1: language tests).
c) To accept evidence from employers as supporting evidence of the necessary knowledge of English language for those who have worked for at least one year within the last two years in non-registered practice in a health and social care setting in the UK.
Key Points:
(i) The referee should be in a leadership position. The reference should be supported by a counter-signatory, also registered with the NMC and in a leadership position in the organization.
(ii) The evidence would need to show that the applicant has sufficient English language proficiency across the reading, writing, listening and speaking domains and that the applicant can interact in English with people who use services, their families and other healthcare professionals.
(iii) The applicant should be working for the employer for at least 12 months within the last two years in non-registered practice in a health and social care setting in the UK.
