A new engagement forum for international nursing and midwifery associations (INMAs) has been launched by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), with the aim of strengthening understanding of the experiences of internationally educated and diaspora professionals.
INMAs provide wellbeing and career support for these professionals working in the UK, and the new forum aims to bring them together to help inform and develop NMC strategic policy and operational decisions.
The INMA forum – which will not form part of the NMC’s formal governance decision-making structure – will be held at least twice a year, with the first meeting taking place today.
The forum will be guided by an advisory group – also made up of INMAs – which will recommend the direction of the forum and change every two years to ensure different INMAs can work with the NMC.
The regulator’s registration data shows that the growth of the UK nursing and midwifery workforce has become increasingly reliant on internationally educated and diaspora professionals.
A recent NMC report found that some of these professionals face racist and derogatory language and do not always feel respected or treated the same as colleagues.
The report also found that many of these professionals are leaving the register earlier than their UK counterparts and have found staffing levels and workload to be worse than expected.
Sam Foster, NMC executive director of professional practice and chair of the INMA forum advisory group, highlighted the ‘vital and welcome’ contribution made by these ‘brilliant’ professionals.
‘With health and care services increasingly dependent on internationally educated and diaspora professionals, it’s paramount they can practise in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, which enables them to thrive for the benefit of the public,’ she added.
Ofrah Muflahi, founder and director of the British Arab Nursing and Midwifery Association and INMA forum advisory group member, praised the NMC for ‘creating a space where internationally educated and diaspora professionals can influence their work’.
She added: ‘It’s important that the lived experiences of internationally educated and diaspora professionals are heard and understood so that we can all work towards solutions that support them to thrive in their role and provide the best care possible.’
