Failing UK tests, Pinoy nurses need better English proficiency

MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking at implementing language programs to improve the competencies and communication skills of Filipino nurses, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said yesterday.

Ubial made the statement following reports that of the 200 nurses recruited to work at a hospital in the United Kingdom, 90 percent failed an English proficiency test.

“It’s an issue that CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and DepEd (Department of Education) should address regarding the nursing curriculum,” Ubial told The STAR.

She added the Department of Health (DOH) was having difficulty hiring nurses for government hospitals because “only a few can express themselves well.”

 “One of the DOH’s concerns is the competency of nurses who stay in the country to take care of the citizenry,” she said.     

British newspaper The Times reported Tuesday that of the first batch of 59 Filipino nurses, 52 flunked the English language test to qualify for employment at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham town, southeast of London.

The hospital had vacancies for 394 nurses.   – With Janvic Mateo