UK and India Sign Framework Agreement to Collaborate on Healthcare Workforce

The governments of India and the United Kingdom have entered a significant partnership to enhance healthcare workforce collaboration. This agreement outlines key areas of cooperation to support the recruitment and training of healthcare professionals, focusing on Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, and other critical categories.

The partnership acknowledges the longstanding contribution of Indian professionals to the UK’s healthcare system and aims to foster bilateral cooperation through capacity building, exchange of expertise, and enhancing healthcare workforce standards.

Key Areas of Cooperation:

• Nursing Collaboration: Both nations will work towards mutual recognition of nursing qualifications and improve training standards for specialized nursing fields such as mental health, trauma, and emergency care.
• Allied Health Professionals: The collaboration will expand into training and recruitment in areas such as Occupational Therapy, Radiography, and Nutrition Science. Future efforts will also focus on bridging skill gaps and streamlining registration procedures.
• Bridging Skill Gaps: Efforts will be made to identify and address skill gaps in training systems through workshops, partnerships between institutions, and the sharing of relevant data on healthcare professional shortages.
• Continued Engagement: The agreement sets forth the establishment of a working group to facilitate ongoing dialogue between regulators, ensuring smooth implementation of the agreed initiatives.

This agreement marks a pivotal step in strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving healthcare delivery systems in both nations.

For more details, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-and-india-collaboration-on-healthcare-workforce-framework-agreement