15,000 Filipino nurses employed in UK — Dimond

ILOILO CITY — More than 15,000 Filipino nurses are now employed in the United Kingdom (UK) due to the shortage of nursing skills in the UK, according to British Ambassador to the Philippines Paul Dimond during his press conference with local media here Friday.

In fact last year, Dimond said most of the visas issued by the British government are for nurses who are now in UK.

Despite these numbers of Oversees Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly nurses, Dimond said the British government are accepting applicant nurses who are still willing to work in UK.

"Yes we do welcome OFWs, very particularly in the area of nursing skills. This country has a respectable training especially in the field of nursing," he said.

"We have been very happy to receive, I believe, around 15,000 Philippine nurses into our country in the last few years. That number has been growing," he said.

Dimond also said that last year, 30,000 visas have been issued by the British government to the Philippines.

"Last year, we issued nearly 30,000 visas to Filipinos willing to go to UK and the acceptance rate from the applicants was over 95%," he said.

He said if the nurses would have sure employers and are equipped with the skills and the necessary degrees, there will be no immigration constraints and a hassle-free entry of nurses.

Dimond said there is a shortage of health care workers, both in public and private healthcare centers, in UK. — Leo Solinap