The future of some international nursing and midwifery associations (INMAs) in the UK hangs in the balance as central funding for the groups has been turned off.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) had been asked to financially support the INMAs going forward, but has declined.
“The halt in funding risks driving away skilled professionals who feel unsupported”
Rohit Sagoo
Previously, INMAs received funding from NHS England via the Florence Nightingale Foundation, but it is understood that this dried up from 2023.
INMAs are grassroots groups set up to provide pastoral and professional support to overseas nurses and midwives in the UK.
They are usually run on a volunteer basis by nurses and midwives from the specific diaspora group that the organisation is representing.
The Royal College of Nursing said that the DHSC’s decision to decline support to the INMAs signified a “lack of respect for a large swathe of the workforce”.
Rohit Sagoo, founder and director of British Sikh Nurses, one of the INMAs, said the halt in funding could result in some internationally educated nurses leaving the UK.
Rohit Sagoo
He told Nursing Times: “INMAs are deeply concerned by the DHSC’s decision to decline support for international nursing and midwifery associations.
“This decision not only undermines the vital work INMA organisations do but also sends a message of disregard to the internationally educated nurses and midwives who form the backbone of our healthcare system.
“We have seen first-hand how many of these professionals face career stagnation, lack access to leadership development and feel professionally isolated and discriminated.”
He added: “At a time of national nursing shortages, we must invest in the development of all nurses, particularly those internationally educated who bring invaluable experience and diverse perspectives.
“The halt in funding risks driving away skilled professionals who feel unsupported, threatening workforce sustainability, and we could potentially see IENs leaving the UK.”
Marimouttou Coumarassamy, founder and chair of the British Indian Nurses Association UK (BINA), said more established INMAs such as his may survive without central funding, but the smaller or newer organisations would struggle.
He told Nursing Times: “I think some associations are a little bit mature in their journey.
Marimouttou Coumarassamy
“I think we will be able to generate some funds to support our people. But there are some associations who are very, very early in… their journey, so it will be very bad on those associations.”
After NHS England funding was pulled, INMAs were asked to create sustainability plans for how they could keep their associations running.
Mr Coumarassamy said one option INMAs were considering was asking their members to contribute a “very minimal” membership fee to keep the groups afloat.
The demand on DHSC to support the INMAs came as part of the non-pay recommendations in the 2023 NHS pay deal.
As part of suggested actions to improve career development for minority ethnic nurses, the DHSC was asked to provide “national support for the work of” INMAs.
However, health and social care secretary Wes Streeting told the NHS Staff Council this week that it “had not been possible to provide further funding to the international nursing and midwifery associations at this time” but that he was “confident in their continued work”.
Nursing Times has contacted DHSC for further comment.
