Hundreds of frontline NHS staff continue to provide patient care despite being under investigation for their alleged involvement in a significant qualifications fraud, causing concern about the safety of NHS patients.

Over 700 nurses find themselves entangled in this potential scandal, drawing sharp criticism from Peter Carter, the former head of the Royal College of Nursing, who warns that such actions could jeopardize patient safety.

The alleged fraud revolves around individuals impersonating nurses and completing a critical test in Nigeria, necessary for them to become registered and work in the UK.

This revelation has sparked worries about the competence of nurses entering the UK healthcare system, especially concerning their ability to handle critical tasks such as administering drugs and responding to emergencies.

While 48 of the implicated nurses are already employed within the NHS, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) faces challenges in rescinding their registration pending investigations. The NMC intends to conduct individual hearings starting in March to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the suspiciously rapid completion of the test.

In a separate batch of 669 Nigerian healthcare workers, primarily nurses, the NMC has identified similar irregularities in their test results. Despite some attempts to retake the test and apply for registration, the NMC has raised significant concerns about their honesty and trustworthiness.

Andrea Sutcliffe, the NMC’s chief executive and registrar, described the situation as the largest fraud the organization has encountered, prompting rigorous actions to ensure the integrity of the register and patient safety.

However, the future of the 717 implicated nurses remains uncertain, with fears that those denied registration may face deportation.

The GMB union has criticized the exploitation of Nigerian nurses and called for compassion towards those affected by the scandal. They advocate for a fair chance for those with suspect test results to retake the test in the UK, emphasizing the urgent need for their skills to address the nursing shortage in the UK healthcare system.

The NMC has responded by suspending the use of 40 test centers worldwide, including the center in Nigeria implicated in the fraud. While the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the NMC’s efforts to address the issue, concerns persist regarding the potential implications for patient safety and the integrity of the healthcare workforce.