Recruitment of nurses from global south branded ‘new form of colonialism’

African nurse leaders say poorer nations face severe shortages despite rules intended to stop wealthy countries poaching staff

The UK and other wealthy countries have been accused of adopting a “new form of colonialism” in recruiting huge numbers of nurses from poorer nations to fill their own staffing gaps.

International nursing leaders said the trend was leading to worse patient care in developing nations, which were not properly compensated for the loss of experienced healthcare staff.