Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what account they take of shortages of qualified medical staff in African countries when considering visa applications from their citizens seeking to work in the United Kingdom.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that international recruitment of health workers is undertaken ethically and does not undermine the health systems of countries facing significant workforce challenges.

Our Code of Practice for International Recruitment prohibits the active recruitment of health and care professionals from countries on the red list, which is aligned with the World Health Organization Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List. This identifies countries with the most pressing health workforce challenges.

However, consistent with World Health Organization principles on an individual’s right to migrate, individuals resident in red list countries may make direct applications for vacancies in the United Kingdom on their own behalf.

Visa applications are considered against the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rules.