Celebrating NHS Overseas Workers Day

March 5, 2021

Today (Friday 5 March) marks the date for the first ever Overseas NHS Workers Day. It presents an opportunity for celebrating the marvellous contributions of our international colleagues. Internationally trained doctors, nurses and countless other professions stood up for the NHS in its moment of greatest need. It is time that we give back and celebrate the true value and uniqueness that colleagues from overseas bring to our NHS.

NHS Overseas Workers Day is a recognition of the extraordinary contribution that people who have migrated to the UK and played an integral role in the UK’s fight against COVID-19. The Doctors’ Association UK with support from the Royal College of Nursing, Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association and Unison aim to recognise the incredible contribution these people make in all the roles they fulfil in the NHS.

Almost 200 different nationalities are represented within the NHS in England. The majority of staff are British, but as of January 2020, 169,000 (13.8 per cent) NHS staff report a non-British nationality, with Indian, Filipino and Irish representing the highest numbers. 67,000 members of staff are nationals of other EU countries.

Join us in thanking colleagues for their extraordinary contributions to the NHS in one of the most challenging years.