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How to relocate to the UK as an International Midwife

How to relocate to the UK as an International Midwife

Oct 27, 2021.

Are you looking to relocate to the UK as an International Midwife?

Nurses and Midwives count for nearly 50% of the global health workforce and here in the UK, demand for International Midwives to relocate and join the NHS continues. But, what is the best way to relocate and secure a Midwife role here in the UK?

Our latest blog explores these questions and more.

Entry requirements

If you want to relocate to the UK and work as a Midwife, you will need to:

  • Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)  

The NMC is the professional regulator for Nurses and Midwives in the UK, and Nursing associates in England.

  • Have an approved Midwifery education that meets NMC requirements

If you did not train as a Midwife in the UK or EEA (European Economic Area), you will need to meet the NMC’s set standards and requirements as previously stated.

If all the minimum requirements are met, you will then need to successfully complete a 2-part application process:

  1. A computer based multiple-choice examination, accessible for applicants to access in their home countries
  2. A practical objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which will always be held in the UK.

For a full criteria list regarding NMC requirements, please visit the NMC website.

  • Meet the English language standards set by the NMC

Midwives trained outside of the UK must also meet the English language standards set by the NMC. This is done by completing an English language test such as those set by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET).

For more information on how you can evidence your language skills, please take a look at our blog: The 3 Ways to Evidence Your English Language Skills to the NMC.

Skills and Duties as an NHS Midwife

Your skills and duties as an NHS Midwife may vary from what you are used to in your home country, so it is important to be aware of what is required.

Key skills include:

  • Ability to deal with emotionally charged situations
  • Attention to detail to observe potential health risks
  • The ability to remain calm and cool headed with a positive attitude
  • Empathy for patients
  • A passion for infant care
  • Excellent interpersonal skills

As a NHS Midwife, you’ll need to:


·        Monitor and examine women during pregnancy
·        Develop, assess and evaluate individual programmes of care
·        Provide full antenatal care, including screening tests in the hospital, community and the home
·        Identify high risk pregnancies and make referrals to doctors and other medical specialists
·        Arrange and provide parenting and health education
·        Provide counselling and advice before and after screening and tests
·        Offer support and advice following events such as miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, neonatal abnormality  and neonatal death
·        Supervise and assist mothers in labour, monitoring the condition of the foetus and applying knowledge of drugs and pain management
·        Give support and advice on the daily care of the baby, including breastfeeding, bathing and making up feeds
·        Liaise with agencies and other health and social care professionals to ensure continuity of care
·        Participate in the training and supervision of junior colleagues.

Next steps

A healthcare recruitment agency can guide and support you through the required process, as well as help you with obtaining the right language skills test and even flights and accommodation.

At ID Medical, our specialist team of Recruitment Consultants are dedicated to dealing with our international Healthcare Professionals and supporting them on their journey to the UK including a free of charge, full overseas package to help with smooth entry to the UK and NHS and step-by-step NMC guidance.

We hope our blog helped answer any questions you had on relocating to the UK as an International Midwife and if you want to know more about how we can help you relocate, please get in touch. Our specialist Recruitment Consultants can help you with 1-2-1 support and guidance at every step of the way.