In response to the fears of a very strained health service following Brexit, Boris Johnson has introduced the new NHS visa to allow easier recruitment of overseas doctors and nurses. The cost of the visa will be reduced to £464 which is half the usual fee of £928. Further to this, the new visas will be processed through a fast-track system and therefore applicants will receive a decision within 2 weeks. There will be no cap on the number of health professionals coming to work for the NHS in the UK and in particular these would receive ‘extra points’ under the new Australian-style points-based system the government aims to introduce.
In addition, the government has proposed that migrant NHS workers will be able to repay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in instalments through their salary, upon commencing their jobs. Many have heavily criticised this proposal that migrant NHS workers will have to pay the NHS Surcharge (which is currently set at £400 per year). Some have suggested that NHS workers should pay a reduced fee in recognition of their work in the health service itself.
In conclusion, through introducing the NHS visa the government aims to attract more health professionals to work in the UK, while ensuring borders are controlled. Yet, the government has failed to recognise that in the absence of any provision for social care for the elderly, the NHS may still be strained post Brexit.