Does a code make a difference - assessing the English code of practice on international recruitment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper draws from research completed in 2007 to assess the effect of the Department of Health, England, Code of Practice for the international recruitment of health professionals.The Department of Health in England introduced a Code of Practice for international recruitment for National Health Service employers in 2001. The Code required National Health Service employers not to actively recruit from low-income countries, unless there was government-to-government agreement. The Code was updated in 2004. METHODS: The paper examines trends in inflow of health professionals to the United Kingdom from other countries, using professional registration data and data on applications f..