The US will have to embark on a large-scale recruitment plan of healthcare workers to meet President Obama’s $615bn (£376bn) plan to overhaul the US healthcare system, according to international healthcare recruiter HCL International.

The investment, approved by the Senate health committee last week, will require
“significantly higher numbers of healthcare professionals”,  claims Mick Whitley, managing director of HCL International.

Whitley adds: “Obama’s plan to extend healthcare protection to millions of poorer families marks a significant transition in American healthcare policy.  This expansion of the healthcare system requires people and over the past two years HCL has built up a pipeline of appropriately qualified healthcare professionals to meet this need.  

“At the same time, the shortfall on qualified healthcare staff in the US is reaching critical proportions and it is important that the issue of ‘retrogression’ be addressed to ensure the expanded demand for healthcare is matched by an expanded, appropriately trained and educated healthcare workforce. Without this there simply won’t be a large enough pool of healthcare workers in the US.

“HCL enjoys first mover advantage in this area, and our global network of operations and contacts are unrivalled.  We are committed to working with our US affiliates to meet the rising demand for healthcare staff, and help increase access to healthcare for patients.”