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Language proposals made for health workers

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2 February 2015

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New proposals to ensure healthcare workers have adequate language proficiency have been made.

According to the proposals, regulators will be allowed to ask for evidence of English language competence from those trained within the EU.

The proposals will affect those working in nursing, midwifery, dentistry and pharmacy wishing to work in the UK.

If an applicant can’t give evidence of their knowledge of English, they will be asked to take an internationally recognised language test.

Not all EU applicants will be required to sit a language test, but ensuring assessments can be undertaken where there are concerns about their knowledge of English will enable the introduction of a fair and proportionate system to help protect the public.