Many qualified healthcare professionals take a break from practice at some point in their career.

Whether it's for family reasons, travel, illness, or simply to explore other paths, returning to practice can feel daunting. The good news? There are clear routes, resources, and support systems available in the UK to help you rejoin the NHS, private sector, or agency work confidently.

In this guide, we walk you through the key steps for returning to practice as a nurse, radiographer, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or other HCPC/NMC-registered professional.

Why Return to Practice Now? The UK healthcare system is in urgent need of skilled professionals. With staff shortages and increased demand for flexible, experienced clinicians, now is the perfect time to come back:

• NHS & private organisations actively support returnees
• Funding may be available for return-to-practice courses
• Flexible roles such as locum, part-time, and remote work are more accessible than ever

Step-by-Step: How to Return to Nursing Practice (NMC-Registered)

1. Check your NMC registration status
o If your registration lapsed, you may need to reapply or undertake a return to practice course

2. Meet revalidation requirements
o You need 450 practice hours and 35 hours of CPD in the last 3 years
o If you don’t meet this, a return to practice course is required

3. Find a return to practice course
o Many universities offer NMC-approved courses (some NHS-funded)
o You can also gain practice hours via supervised practice placements

4. Apply for re-entry via the NMC
o Submit evidence of your course, hours, and CPD

5. Explore job options
o NHS Trusts, private hospitals, and staffing agencies like MedicsPro offer flexible re-entry roles

How Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) Return via the HCPC

If you're a radiographer, paramedic, physio, OT, SLT, dietitian, or other AHP, the HCPC return-to-practice process is straightforward:

1. Check your HCPC registration
o If lapsed for more than 2 years, you must complete 30-60 days of updating skills and knowledge

2. Choose how to update skills
o Supervised practice (clinical placement)
o Formal study (e.g. short CPD courses)
o Private study (limited to 50% of total hours)

3. Document everything
o Keep detailed logs of your updating activities for your HCPC return to practice form

4. Submit your re-admission application

5. Start applying for roles
o MedicsPro can connect you with flexible AHP roles across the UK

Common Questions from Returnees

Q: How long does a return to practice course take?
A: Usually between 3–6 months, depending on part-time/full-time and your placement availability.

Q: Is funding available?
A: Yes. NHS England often provides course funding and placement support for eligible returnees.

Q: Can I work while completing my return requirements?
A: In some cases, yes. You may work in non-clinical or support roles while completing training.

Why Choose MedicsPro for Your Return to Work

At MedicsPro, we support nurses and AHPs in every stage of their healthcare career. For returnees, we offer:
• Guidance on roles that accept returners
• Connections with NHS and private sector placements
• Flexible shift patterns: locum, ad hoc, block bookings
• Assistance with compliance, documentation & re-registration

Whether you’re re-entering as a band 5 nurse, an experienced sonographer, or a newly re-registered physio, we can help you regain confidence and find the right fit.

Returning to healthcare after a break isn’t just possible—it’s a brilliant opportunity to re-engage with a rewarding profession on your own terms. With growing demand and better support structures than ever before, your skills are not only still needed but deeply valued.

Get in touch with MedicsPro today to start your return-to-practice journey.