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Care Workers and Nurses: English Language

Answer

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published an accepted list of countries where English is a majority spoken language on its website. This is available at the following link:

https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/english-language-requirements/recent-practice-in-english/

This list is primarily based on the UK Visas and Immigration skilled worker visa list, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english

Any variation from this list is based on independent evidence as to whether a country is majority English-speaking.

No assessment has been made by the Department of the adequacy of English language proficiency requirements for registered nurses and care staff in National Health Service settings.

As the independent regulator of registered nurses, the NMC is responsible for establishing the requirements that applicants must meet to demonstrate English language proficiency for registration.

It is the responsibility of NHS employers to assess the English language proficiency of nurses and the care staff they employ as part of their recruitment process to ensure workers have a sufficient level of English to carry out their role safely.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

112230

Session

2024-26

Related items

Care Workers and Nurses: English Language
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Written questions
House of Commons

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

English language NHS Nurses Standards Care workers

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk