• The Nursing and Midwifery Council publish new figures which shows number of nurses and midwives leaving the profession continues to grow
• The number of nurses and midwives from Europe leaving increases by 67% while the number joining falls 89%
• We say figures provide more evidence of the severe workforce challenges that NHS trusts face

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has published new figures which show that there continues to be an increase in the number of nurses and midwives leaving its register over the last 12 months.

It has found that the number of nurses and midwives from Europe leaving the register has also increased by 67%.

The number joining the register from the EU has dropped 89% from 10,178 last year to 1,107 this year.

The director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“These figures provide yet more evidence of the severe workforce problems NHS trusts face. We welcome the NMC using the data it holds to publish this report and shed light on this vital issue.

“Just as the health service is trying to respond to the relentless rise in demand and develop new approaches to care, we are seeing more nurses and midwives leaving the register than joining it.

“It is extremely disappointing to see that increasing numbers of UK graduates and nurses and midwives from Europe are leaving the register. The dramatic drop in the numbers joining the register from the EU is particularly worrying.

The government should confirm the right to remain for EU staff working in the NHS.

“NHS trusts are working hard to make the NHS a great place to work, but they need more support.

“We need urgent steps to help ease intolerable workplace pressures. There should be clarity on what the end of the pay cap means. And the government should confirm the right to remain for EU staff working in the NHS.”