Scottish Government will pay re-registration fees to help qualified staff help with flu pandemic

Christina McKelvie MSP has urged nurses and midwives whose professional registration has lapsed to take advantage of a Scottish Government commitment to meet the re-registration costs of qualified staff who choose to return to work to help the NHS cope with any worsening of the H1N1 influenza outbreak.

Nurses and midwives whose Nursing and Midwifery Council registration has lapsed in the past four years will have the opportunity to re-register for free, allowing them to be available to the NHS in the event of a surge in the flu pandemic.

Welcoming the move, Central Scotland MSP Christina said:

“This simple, practical solution by the Scottish Government could have a very significant effect on the ability of the NHS to manage if there is a worsening in the H1N1 flu outbreak.

“NHS Scotland staff have coped brilliantly so far but should there be a surge in infections, it will be of enormous benefit to our health services to have a cohort of qualified professional staff ready to step in if they are needed.

“This is also a great opportunity for qualified nurses and midwives who may have been considering a return to practice but have been deterred by the costs of professional re-registration.

“Having that burden removed from them will allow them to expand their available career options as well as giving them a chance to make a contribution to Scotland’s health services when they may need it most.

“I would urge any nurses and midwives who meet the free re-registration criteria to grab this opportunity while it’s available.”