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16/06/2004
Use skills of refugee doctors, says BMA
The valuable skills of hundreds of refugee doctors are not being put to the best use, according to figures published today by the British Medical Association.
Marking National Refugee Week, the BMA highlighted the contribution made by refugee and asylum-seeking doctors who are working, or trying to work, in the NHS.
Nearly a thousand (955) have registered on the BMA's database of refugee doctors, yet only 57 report that they are practising. Although the BMA estimates that the actual number who have found work is higher, it is thought unlikely to be more than 150 (16%) of those on BMA records.
Many of the doctors who are in contact with the BMA have refugee status, but have not yet passed the exams needed to practise in the U.K - often because they are unfamiliar with the system, or are struggling to fund studies.
Dr Edwin Borman, Chairman of the BMA's International Committee, says that the NHS would benefit hugely if more support and training were made available to refugee doctors: "The skills of medically qualified refugees are badly needed and it's ironic that so many are unable to work. It costs £250,000 to train a British medical student to become a doctor, but as little as £10,000 to prepare a refugee doctor to practise. From August the European Working Time Directive will impose new limits on junior doctors' hours, making it even more important that the NHS makes the best use of refugee doctors."
The BMA has welcomed recent steps by the Department of Health and the General Medical Council to give greater support to refugee doctors. However, it believes more could be still done.
At the BMA's annual conference this month, there will be a call for fairer rules on visas and benefits, and measures to make it easier for refugees to find hospital attachments to prepare them for work in the NHS.
(SP)
Marking National Refugee Week, the BMA highlighted the contribution made by refugee and asylum-seeking doctors who are working, or trying to work, in the NHS.
Nearly a thousand (955) have registered on the BMA's database of refugee doctors, yet only 57 report that they are practising. Although the BMA estimates that the actual number who have found work is higher, it is thought unlikely to be more than 150 (16%) of those on BMA records.
Many of the doctors who are in contact with the BMA have refugee status, but have not yet passed the exams needed to practise in the U.K - often because they are unfamiliar with the system, or are struggling to fund studies.
Dr Edwin Borman, Chairman of the BMA's International Committee, says that the NHS would benefit hugely if more support and training were made available to refugee doctors: "The skills of medically qualified refugees are badly needed and it's ironic that so many are unable to work. It costs £250,000 to train a British medical student to become a doctor, but as little as £10,000 to prepare a refugee doctor to practise. From August the European Working Time Directive will impose new limits on junior doctors' hours, making it even more important that the NHS makes the best use of refugee doctors."
The BMA has welcomed recent steps by the Department of Health and the General Medical Council to give greater support to refugee doctors. However, it believes more could be still done.
At the BMA's annual conference this month, there will be a call for fairer rules on visas and benefits, and measures to make it easier for refugees to find hospital attachments to prepare them for work in the NHS.
(SP)
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28 May 2003
Conference set to highlight plight of 'refugee doctors'
A conference is to be held in London next week that will call for improved employment rights for "refugee doctors".
Conference set to highlight plight of 'refugee doctors'
A conference is to be held in London next week that will call for improved employment rights for "refugee doctors".
16 June 2003
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
25 November 2004
'Refugee' doctors need more help to get into the NHS, says BMA
The growing number of refugee and asylum-seeking doctors arriving in Britain need more support to help them get work in the NHS more quickly, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
'Refugee' doctors need more help to get into the NHS, says BMA
The growing number of refugee and asylum-seeking doctors arriving in Britain need more support to help them get work in the NHS more quickly, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
12 September 2003
Doctors urge Home Secretary to end ‘asylum limbo’
Asylum-seeking doctors are being left in limbo by inflexible immigration policies that prevent them working, despite an international NHS recruitment campaign, according to doctor’s newspaper the BMA News.
Doctors urge Home Secretary to end ‘asylum limbo’
Asylum-seeking doctors are being left in limbo by inflexible immigration policies that prevent them working, despite an international NHS recruitment campaign, according to doctor’s newspaper the BMA News.
03 August 2009
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
Improvements For Welsh Junior Doctors Sought
A campaign aimed at improving the working lives of junior doctors in Wales gets underway today. BMA Cymru Wales has become increasingly concerned about working conditions of junior doctors in general.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
