The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the health systems of most countries around the world. The most developed countries have not been spared either. With a growing demand for healthcare, coupled with a skills shortage, several countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, as well as Canada, are gradually lifting their border restrictions for highly-qualified health professionals. So if you've got the skills they're currently looking for, and you've always dreamed of moving abroad, you should try your luck.
A global skills shortage
The health systems of major economic powerhouses, including the USA, the United Kingdom, as well as France, were already facing a skills shortage long before the crisis. Among the 33 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, more than half are facing a shortage of specialists. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there's a shortage of 5.9 million nurses in these countries since 2018. With the COVID-19 crisis, the pressure only increased, with health systems failing to provide adequate and timely care. While health professionals from the public and private sectors have been mobilised to work together, many countries are increasingly relying on foreign expertise. It's also worth noting that almost one-quarter of doctors practising in OECD countries are of foreign origin, while a fifth of them obtained their degrees overseas. Of the nurses, 16% are foreign-born, and 7% were trained abroad. Moreover, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland are home to 20% to 25% of nurses that were trained overseas.
New Zealand needs 25,000 nurses by 2030
By 2030, New Zealand could run out of 25,000 nurses, according to figures from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. In 2021, the country will need 380 additional specialist doctors to meet the growing demand for health care. The country is home to nearly 220 public hospitals and 20 community health centres, not to mention many other modern private hospitals and clinics. However, there's a skills shortage, mainly in emergency care and essential surgery, etc. New Zealand is therefore welcoming health professionals specialising in more than 40 fields, as well as nurses and midwives. These positions are on the Skills Shortage List, which is amended every year according to the demand. So have a look at the list and make sure that your skills are recognised in New-Zealand. New Zealand's healthcare system currently comprises 41.5% of professionals who have been trained overseas, according to the Medical Council. It's also worth noting that selected candidates are eligible for a resident permit.
Canada: permanent residence for health professionals
Canada could run out of around 60,000 nurses by 2021, according to official sources, but this shortage of skills is likely to increase as the COVID-19 evolves. Today, the country has some 200 health professionals for every 10,000 inhabitants. In spite of having a modern and developed health system, the COVID-19 crisis highlights the urgent need for foreign skills. Hence, Canada is offering permanent residency to foreign health professionals who are looking to settle there in the long term. So you can try your luck if you're a general practitioner or specialist, family doctor, optician, dentist, veterinarian, chiropractor, pharmacist, dietitian or nutritionist, or even a nurse, administrator or supervisor. Your dependents can also accompany you. Besides, you no longer need to leave the country to be able to apply for a work permit if you're already in Canada. Procedures have been simplified to make Canada more accessible. For more information, visit the official website of the province in which you would like to settle.
Australia: foreign specialists are an asset
While Australia has chosen to keep its borders closed until January 2021, highly-skilled foreign health professionals are now the most welcome. The new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) contains 17 priority occupations including a set of health-related specialities. The Australian labour market is currently facing a labour shortage, particularly in the healthcare sector. In 2016, the country had 400 doctors and 1,145 nurses and midwives for every 100,000 inhabitants, which is largely insufficient. The COVID-19 crisis and current travel restrictions only led to growing demand, as in most countries around the world. Thousands of healthcare professionals were unable to move to Australia while many others were stranded abroad for several months. With this new list, foreign health professionals specialising in general medicine, emergency care, psychiatry, mental health, in the perioperative field, as well as nurses and midwives, stand the chance of moving ton Australia. Regarding visa applications, priority is being given to those who are on the PMSOL. Those who qualify should request an exemption to be allowed to travel to Australia. However, they will need sponsorship to be eligible for a visa.
UK: a special visa for doctors and nurses
Recognising the significant contribution of foreign professionals to the UK healthcare system during the crisis, the UK recently launched a Health and Care Visa in August 2020 that is mainly intended for highly-skilled professionals. This visa is cheaper than the Tier 2 visa and is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. With the UK is looking to support its health sector with a highly-skilled workforce, it is also looking to boost its image amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Also, many health professionals, including general practitioners and specialists, biochemists, dentists, physiotherapists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, psychologists, nurses and midwives had their visas expiring on October 1st, 2020, automatically renewed for another year.
