Hospitals relying on overseas nurses to fill vacant places could face severe staff shortages because the Government is rushing through changes to registration procedures.

From 1 September, overseas nurses must undergo 20 days of training before gaining accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council that allows them to work as nurses in the UK.

The training must be provided by an approved provider but courses are vastly over-subscribed. In the last year, more than 11,000 nurses entered the country from overseas countries but there are only 1,500 training positions available.

Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the REC, the recruitment industry’s trade body, said: “Our members are alarmed at the pace with which this change is being fully implemented and the lack of proper planning and coordination.”

“We estimate this will have an enormous impact on nurse recruitment from overseas which is vital to the NHS and will affect NHS Trusts and the agencies that support their recruitment.”