RCN has slammed the decision to try and double the health surcharge for immigration. The RCN is going to carry on trying to campaign for the immigration health surcharge to be waived for nurses who are overseas. Yesterday the government announced that those who are non-EEA nationals would have to pay £400 for each family member. This would be done every year so that they can work in the UK under their visa. The RCN has been working hard to try and campaign to see this fee waived if possible. They are also trying to help staff who work in the UK and the various departments. Dame Donna Kinnair who is the acting chief for RCN has stated that the nurses already contribute a significant amount and that they are also subject to National Insurance and taxation as well. They work hard to try and care for our loved ones and fees like this can really tear families apart. They end up separating mothers from their children and this has to stop.

Those who work as a part of a nurse agency or even those who go through a nursing recruitment agency for their job positions will know more than anyone how daunting changes like this can be. The government has signalled that people like this are no longer welcome.

The assuring members who work in government are going to carry on campaigning. Donna has stated that they are going to try and use the House of Lords to try and send a message to the government. This decision is morally bankrupt and it is also not acceptable in the slightest either, meaning that more needs to be done in order to put an end to things like this happening. Of course, only time will tell if this is the case.