Everest Recruitment and Services, we are committed to supporting the NHS by providing world-class healthcare professionals through a responsible and ethical recruitment process. As an NHS framework agency, we strictly follow the UK Code of Practice for International Recruitment, ensuring that our efforts align with ethical standards while addressing the UK’s urgent healthcare workforce needs.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s recent remarks on the NHS’s reliance on staff from WHO red-list countries have brought the ethics of international recruitment into the spotlight. At Everest, we welcome this conversation as an opportunity to showcase how international hiring can be both ethical and essential—benefiting the NHS, its patients, and the professionals who choose to pursue careers in the UK.

The NHS Staffing Crisis & the Need for Ethical International Recruitment

Since Brexit ended free movement between the UK and the EU in January 2021, NHS staffing shortages have intensified. With a 46% drop in EU healthcare applications since 2016, the NHS has increasingly relied on international professionals to fill critical gaps.

Between March 2023 and November 2024, NHS England saw:

✅ 36% rise in nurses from red-list countries
✅ 24% increase in doctors from these nations
✅ 74% surge in healthcare support staff

This means that:

👩‍⚕️ 21,500 nurses
👨‍⚕️ 13,675 doctors
🩺 21,600 support staff

…from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe are now playing a vital role in keeping the NHS running.

These professionals are not just numbers—they are highly skilled individuals who have chosen to work in the UK for better career prospects, competitive salaries, and improved quality of life.

However, the question remains: Is it ethical to recruit from countries facing their own healthcare shortages?

Everest’s Ethical Approach to International Recruitment

At Everest Recruitment and Services, we firmly believe that international recruitment can be ethical when done correctly. We ensure that every professional we place in the NHS has chosen this path independently and that our recruitment process supports both the UK and the healthcare systems of source countries.

1. Compliance with WHO and UK Government Guidelines

We strictly adhere to:

• The UK Code of Practice for International Recruitment
• WHO guidelines on ethical recruitment
• The NHS framework agreement

This means we do not actively recruit from WHO red-list countries—which include nations struggling with severe healthcare workforce shortages. Instead, we work with:

✅ Self-motivated professionals who have chosen to apply independently
✅ Healthcare councils, training institutions, and universities to create sustainable career pathways
✅ Global partners to support healthcare development in source countries

By following these ethical principles, we help balance global healthcare workforce distribution while supporting the NHS with much-needed professionals.

2. Partnerships That Empower, Not Exploit

Everest Recruitment and Services collaborates with nursing councils, professional bodies, and universities in key countries to create ethical recruitment pathways.

3. Transparent & Fair Recruitment Processes

We ensure that all healthcare professionals recruited through Everest:

✅ Meet rigorous NHS qualification standards
✅ Have the necessary language proficiency (e.g., IELTS/OET for English fluency)
✅ Are fully trained and prepared for the challenges of working in the UK healthcare system
✅ Receive pastoral care and support to help them transition smoothly

We provide clear, honest information about job expectations, salaries, and working conditions—ensuring every candidate makes an informed choice about their future.

4. A Win-Win Approach for the NHS & Source Countries

Our ethical model ensures that:

🌍 Professionals gain life-changing opportunities in the UK, improving their skills and financial stability.
🏥 The NHS benefits from a highly skilled workforce, easing staff shortages and ensuring quality patient care.
💷 Home countries receive economic benefits through remittances, which help families and local economies.

International recruitment should not be seen as a drain on source countries—it should be a partnership that creates value for all.

Beyond Recruitment: How Everest Supports the NHS Long-Term

At Everest Recruitment and Services, our commitment goes beyond placing candidates. We help retain and develop the workforce to ensure long-term sustainability.

1. Onboarding & Pastoral Support

We offer comprehensive support to help international recruits settle into their new roles and lives in the UK, including:

• Assistance with visa applications and relocation
• Help finding accommodation and financial guidance
• Ongoing mentorship and professional integration

2. Training & Career Development

We invest in upskilling healthcare professionals, offering:

• Clinical training programs aligned with NHS requirements
• Continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
• Support for career progression within the NHS

3. Workforce Planning & Consultancy

We work directly with NHS trusts and healthcare institutions to:

• Develop long-term workforce strategies
• Improve retention and reduce reliance on overseas staff
• Support local UK healthcare training initiatives

We believe that international recruitment should complement, not replace, domestic workforce development.

The Future of Ethical Recruitment: A Call for Collaboration

We agree with the government’s vision to strengthen domestic training—but the reality is that the NHS needs both homegrown and international talent to function effectively.

With 70% of global healthcare migration flowing to just ten high-income nations, competition for healthcare professionals is fierce. The UK must remain an attractive and ethical destination for skilled workers.

Proposed Solutions:

✅ Bilateral training agreements with source countries—where the UK invests in healthcare education abroad to create a balanced workforce exchange.
✅ In-country training programs that allow some professionals to stay in their home country while others gain experience in the NHS.
✅ More transparent and structured international recruitment policies, ensuring sustainability for all involved.

At Everest, we are ready to pilot such innovations in partnership with the NHS and the UK government.

Ethical International Recruitment Is a Strength, Not a Problem

The NHS is at a crossroads. While domestic training takes time to catch up, international recruitment remains a vital solution—but it must be done responsibly.

At Everest Recruitment and Services, we are proving that ethical international recruitment can work—ensuring the NHS gets the workforce it needs without harming global healthcare systems.

We invite the government, NHS trusts, and international partners to work with us in building a fair, transparent, and sustainable healthcare workforce for the future.

Together, we can turn ethical recruitment into a global opportunity, not a crisis.

🔹 Everest Recruitment and Services – Connecting Talent, Supporting Healthcare, Building Futures.