Rory Mooney, 16 Aug
Ulster University has officially opened the doors to its newly expanded
and reimagined Nursing Competence Test Centre today, located at Foyle
House in Derry.
This significant development aims to address the growing global demand
for nursing and midwifery healthcare professionals in the UK.
The Ulster University School of Nursing and Paramedic Science hosts and
operates this vital Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) Competence Test
Centre (CTC) which has, over the years, expanded to meet growing
demand.
Earlier this year the university purchased a new site that shares a
border with the University’s Duncreggan Student Village, a very short
walk from campus buildings, and began expansion plans.
The development will enable over 8,000 internationally educated nursing
and midwifery candidates per year from around the world, to take their
NMC Test of Competence Part 2 Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)
assessment in order to join the NMC Register of nurses, midwives and
nursing associates.
The CTC on the Derry campus is one of just five NMC approved CTCs in
the UK – and the only one in Northern Ireland, reflecting the
University’s expertise and leadership in nursing.
First established in 2017, the test centre has not only helped to
alleviate pressures on the health sector but has also become an
economic driver for the North West with businesses across the city
reaping the many benefits of increased visitor numbers.
Marking the significant expansion, Ulster University hosted a
celebratory launch event at Foyle House.
People from across the UK were welcomed to explore the new facilities,
highlighting an important opportunity to support nursing capacity and
alleviate pressures on the health service in the UK.
Esteemed guests included representatives from the NMC, Healthcare
Trusts, the Independent Sector, the Royal College of Nursing, the
Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane
District Council, Darren Guy, and Northern Ireland’s Health Minister,
Mike Nesbitt.
Minister Nesbitt said: “The test centre here at Ulster University has
gained a reputation as the preferred choice for many candidates. This
speaks volumes for the efforts made by Ulster University, not only to
support the development of the workforce to meet the healthcare needs
of our population, but also their unwavering dedication to academic
excellence and professional integrity.
“To the candidates embarking on this journey, I encourage you to view
this Centre not simply as an examination stage but as a stepping stone
towards a fulfilling career in healthcare. You are joining a community
that values compassion, excellence, working together and openness and
honesty.
“The skills you acquire here will not only be instrumental in your
personal journey, but will enable you to make a significant
contribution to Northern Ireland.”
Shahneela Grygiel, Assistant Director of Registration and Revalidation
at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: "We are delighted to be in
Derry-Londonderry to explore the new Foyle House site at Ulster
University. This expansion is good news for people who use health and
care services, helping even more skilled and knowledgeable
professionals from all over the world to join our register safely and
quickly.
“We’re seeing more nursing and midwifery professionals on the NMC
register than ever before – 826,418. The expansion at Ulster University
will play a vital role in this continued growth, enabling
internationally educated professionals and those returning to practice,
to provide the high-quality care everyone across the UK has the right
to receive.”
Nurses and midwives are required to undergo comprehensive assessment in
order to confirm their competency before they can practice in the UK.
The designated test centre on the Derry campus delivers the OSCE, which
tests candidates’ skills, knowledge and behaviours in a simulated
practice environment. This is the final test that candidates must pass
in order to gain registration as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate
in the UK.
With a responsive approach to meeting the needs of individuals and
organisations, the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster
University facilitates much needed registered nurses and midwives, who
have been internationally educated, in their journey to registration.
This enables them to move forward in establishing their career in the
UK whilst making a valued and essential contribution to the health of
the public through their knowledge, expertise, and experience.
Since opening in 2017, over 32,000 nurses from countries including
Canada, Japan, Philippines, India, Africa, and Barbados have undertaken
the OSCE at the Ulster University Competence Test Centre (CTC) and are
now working in healthcare settings across Northern Ireland, England,
Wales and Scotland.
Professor Carol Curran, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University commented:
“This significant development signifies our continued commitment to the
Derry~Londonderry campus and our ambitions for momentum in development
here. This allows us to expand our campus footprint into a neighbouring
site and importantly, benefits the local economy in the North West by
boosting international travel to Derry~Londonderry with associated bed
nights in local hotels.”
“Additionally, some 90 staff – most of whom are local nurses - are
employed in the CTC as assessors and patient role players so this CTC
allows us to support the local economy though employment too. We have
plans for further recruitment now that our CTC has expanded on the
Foyle House site.”
Professor Neal Cook, Professor of Nursing and Head of School of Nursing
and Paramedic Science said “We are delighted to see our CTC provision
expand from 12 to 20 testing bays at our new site, maximising the
responsive provision to facilitating internationally educated nurses,
midwives and nursing associates from all over the globe to enter the
NMC live register.
“This enhanced provision will expand on our ability to support these
nurses and their sponsors as well as provide our team with bespoke
facilities to maximise the quality of our provision, complementing our
continued commitment to a person-centred approach.
“The community support and hospitality the candidates receive on their
visit to the city also enhances their positive experience. This is a
team and service to be proud of, particularly given the impact on
health services nationally.”
Ulster University has an international reputation for nursing
excellence and is rated top 10 in the UK for nursing (QS World Subject
Rankings 2023 and Complete University Guide 2024).