OSCE Centres testing capacity increases to 50,000
It has been recently announced that the total number of candidates eligible to take their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) every year has now exceeded 50,000. This development carries significant importance as it enables international and returning professionals to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register in a timely and secure manner.
The OSCE is a competency-based exam that assesses candidates’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a clinical setting. It is conducted in a simulated environment, and candidates are evaluated based on their performance in various scenarios. The NMC, being the regulatory body for nurses and midwives in the UK, requires candidates to pass this exam as a part of the registration process.
The increase in the number of candidates who can take the OSCE each year is a welcome development that will help to alleviate the existing backlog and ensure that healthcare professionals can join the workforce in a timely and safe manner.The total number of candidates who can take their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) each year has now surpassed 50,000, ensuring that international and returning professionals will continue to be able to join the NMC register as quickly and safely as possible.
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a practical assessment that evaluates candidates’ clinical knowledge and skills. It is an integral part of the ToC program that ensures professionals who were educated outside the UK and those who are returning to practice after an extended period away have the requisite skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective care.
The contributions of internationally educated professionals and those returning to practice are significant and play a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of individuals. This is particularly crucial in the current times when the demand for care is increasing. The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) register has a record 808,488 nurses, midwives, and nursing associates, and of these, approximately 178,000 were educated outside the UK.
5 OSCE Centres Across UK
There are five OSCE test centre partners across the UK:
- The University of Ulster
- Northumbria University
- Oxford Brookes University
- The University of Northampton
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Last year, Northumbria University significantly increased its testing capacity from 7,000 to 22,000 candidates. This expansion was aimed at improving the university’s ability to test nursing students and ensure that they meet the necessary standards for clinical practice.
Following Northumbria University’s lead, Ulster University has announced that it will be expanding its Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) testing capacity. This expansion will enable the university to accommodate up to 8,000 internationally educated applicants to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register, as well as those wishing to return to practice, every year in Northern Ireland.
The expansion of Ulster University’s testing capacity is a welcome development, as there has been a growing demand for nursing professionals in the region. By increasing its testing capacity, the university will be able to ensure that nursing professionals are adequately trained and equipped to provide high-quality care to patients.
Overall, this expansion will take the total testing capacity of the OSCE Centres to over 50,000, which is a significant milestone for the healthcare industry in Northern Ireland.
“Our total UK OSCE testing capacity has now reached 50,000 candidates each year – an impressive milestone that will help ensure a smooth path to professional registration for increasing numbers of new recruits into the nursing and midwifery professions.
Andrea Sutcliffe, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar.
“Internationally educated professionals make an important and valuable contribution to our nation’s health and wellbeing. Our test centre partners have always played a vital role in welcoming these skilled and knowledgeable professionals from all over the world.
“Their expansion will help more professionals join our register safely and quickly. This is good news for their future colleagues and for people who use services across the UK, supporting the delivery of the safe, effective and kind care they have the right to receive.”
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