Increasing number of nurses and midwives leaving profession ‘highlights major challenges faced by health and care sectors'
Published on 02 November 2017
New figures show a continuation of previous trends.
In July, we published data which showed that for the first time there were more nurses and midwives leaving the register than joining it. Today’s figures show that trend is continuing. Over the last 12 months the number of UK graduates leaving the profession has increased by nine percent, as shown in the table below.
The number of nurses and midwives from Europe leaving the register has also increased by 67 percent, while the number joining the register from the EU has dropped dramatically by 89 percent.
Number of nurses and midwives leaving the register by country of initial registration
Country |
October 2015 to September 2016 |
October 2016 to September 2017 |
UK |
26,653 |
29,019 |
Europe |
2,435 |
4,067 |
Rest of the world |
2,090 |
2,277 |
Total |
31,178 |
35,363 |
While the number of nurses and midwives leaving the register from the UK continues to rise, indications are that the number joining remains static when compared with the previous 12 month period.
Read the full report.
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