More Jamaican nurses heading to UK under expanded global partnership programme

More nurses are to leave Jamaica to work in the United Kingdom.

However, the British government says after three years working in the National Health Service (NHS) to gain specialist skills and experience, they will return to Jamaica.

It's part of a partnership between the Jamaican government and the United Kingdom but coincides with other nursing recruitment.

"The partnership is an extension of the successful ‘earn, learn and return’ scheme, which has already seen Indian nurses benefit from NHS work experience," said a British spokesperson in a statement.

This morning, the president of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica Carmen Johnson said this means Jamaica will be losing more nurses much faster than they can be replaced.

Johnson said she is particularly concerned given that there is already a shortage of nurses in the local health system.

How the programme works
Registered nurses from Jamaica will undertake work placements in the UK, facilitated by Health Education England, in areas such as emergency medicine and intensive care.

They will return to Jamaica to share their new skills, knowledge and experience with their own health care system.

In return, NHS staff will be given the opportunity to travel to Jamaica to share their expertise with the Jamaican health service and help them to improve their care.

What's the objective
The UK Government says the aim of the scheme is to support the Jamaican government in improving the capability and capacity of their nursing workforce, as well as establish a network of professionals from both countries who will continue to share learning and knowledge beyond the scheme itself.

It also forms part of the commitment by the NHS to support its staff to develop and progress their careers.

How the programme has helped
According to the UK Government, offering global health placements within training programmes or as part of continual professional development has shown to have a positive impact on recruitment and retention of staff.

All nurses who work for the NHS will be required to meet the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Minister delighted
"I’m delighted that we’re partnering with Jamaica in this scheme, which will build on our existing collaboration with India, and further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to forging new international relationships in preparation for the UK to leave the European Union," said UK's State Minister for Health Stephen Barclay 

He said the NHS is "blazing a trail" in health care across the world and it is a testament to the skills and expertise of dedicated nurses who other countries are vying for to help improve their own services.

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