The recruitment industry trade body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is facing a backlash from the Royal College of Nursing union for refusing to sign up to a code designed to stop the UK hiring nurses from poor countries.

Private hospitals and nursing homes have all agreed to the code but the REC has claimed the regime would not achieve its desired aims.

Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the REC, argued that the code would also prevent foreign nationals already working in the UK from using agencies.

The REC is calling for a legally enforceable work permit system that would allow nurses from poor countries to work in the UK for a limited amount of time. That way they could gain experience from working in the UK and earn money to support their families. Hadley said: “It is important for us to have made a positive contribution towards the discussion.”

Around 40,000 overseas nurses have registered to work in the UK in the last three years – but this has included about 5,000 from South Africa and hundreds from other countries considered off-limits.