Petition · past parliament
Suspend/ Lower language requirements for overseas doctors, nurses AHPs.
Rejected
19 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the government to either suspend or lower the language requirements imposed by registered bodies for doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals.
Currently overseas doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals need to obtain a language certification before being allowed to work.
Up until a few years ago this was not a requirement and since its introduction has led to a huge drop of overseas applications countrywide, this has worsened the staffing crisis for an already struggling NHS.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jun/24/english-speaking-ovserseas-nurses-fail-nhs-too-tough-language-test
Up until a few years ago this was not a requirement and since its introduction has led to a huge drop of overseas applications countrywide, this has worsened the staffing crisis for an already struggling NHS.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jun/24/english-speaking-ovserseas-nurses-fail-nhs-too-tough-language-test
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
Decisions on the skills necessary in order for medical professionals to safely and effectively carry out their duties in England are the responsibility of the General Medical Council, not the UK Government or Parliament.
You could, if you wished, start a petition calling for a suspension or reduction in the language requirements for visas for medical professionals seeking to come and work in the UK, as this is the responsibility of the Government.
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
You could, if you wished, start a petition calling for a suspension or reduction in the language requirements for visas for medical professionals seeking to come and work in the UK, as this is the responsibility of the Government.
You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips
You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/
Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/
Timeline
| 19 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Apr 2020 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
19
Status
Rejected
Rejected
20 Apr 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.