Hundreds of nurses from the EU who work in Scotland’s care homes may lose their legal right to work in the UK in just a day’s time, as a new report reveals a quarter were yet to apply for settled status just weeks before the deadline.

A report by Scottish Care published today suggests one in four nurses from the EU were yet to apply for settled or pre-settled status ahead of today's (Wednesday) deadline as of April, and the organisation is warning the true number could be higher.

The organisation says the problem for the care sector is being exacerbated by nurses leaving to fill vacancies in the NHS.

Health and Social Care Secretary Humza Yousaf issued a plea for EU workers to apply before the deadline at midnight.

“My message to everyone from the EU who lives and works here is Scotland is your home, you are our family and we’d be privileged if you would stay,” he said.

Across the UK 5.6 million citizens and their families from the 30 countries in the European Economic Area have applied for settled status, but around 400,000 cases are thought to be outstanding.

Not completing the process could see them lose employment and benefits rights.

The UK Home Office has indicated late applications may be allowed if there were reasonable grounds for a delay.

Nearly 100 care home managers and nurse clinical leads representing nearly 400 care homes responded to the survey from Scottish Care.

The report reveals persistent difficulties in recruiting enough nurses to work in social care, with seven in ten respondents stating they had faced difficulties filling vacancies.

Common reasons for a lack of applicants included low pay, better opportunities elsewhere and an insufficient supply of nurses.

The sector also faced competition from the NHS, with nearly half of nurses who left moving on to a new role in the health service.

Respondents reported difficulties accessing agency staff, with the health service block-booking temporary staff.

The report states: ‘Social care nursing is a unique field that offers frontline nurses the opportunity to exercise and develop a unique set of skills in supporting some of Scotland’s most vulnerable citizens….

‘It is time that the sector and those that work in it are valued for the distinct work they do and are provided with parity of opportunity, learning and development to that which is available to NHS counterparts.

‘All nurses are required to adhere to the same standards, valued principles and code of practice regardless of where they work, therefore should have the same access to practice, pay and conditions.’

Read more: Freeman urges UK care worker immigration rethink; Learning disability nurses leave in ‘worrying’ numbers; Nurses escalate battle over pay and recruitment

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