Non-European doctors feel penalised by change in UK policy
BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7544.744-a (Published 30 March 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:744All rapid responses
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It’s interesting to note that none of the comments posted so far
support the malafide rulings.
More comments from the British graduates/ citizens on this matter
should be welcome rather than IMGs pleading about their plight.
Should the IMGs manifest their contribution to daily functioning of
the NHS hospitals by observing a day of 'Leave'? It could be labelled as
'bag packing day'. The aim would not be to hamper the patient care by any
means but to give the government sufficient and practical notice of things
to come! We, unlike them, should not be giving them troubles without
warnings!!
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Thank you for your thoughts Martin. While I agree with most of what
you have said, we would be fooling ourselves if we believed that the
change in visa rules is prompted by any concern over the fact that skilled
professionals are leaving poorer countries to serve the West. The UK has
had no qualms about this issue upto now- indeed, starting in the 1950s it
has actively recruited doctors from poor countries- because upto now, it
has suited it. The new rules are a typical kneejerk response to a
workforce crisis of the government's making. Overseas doctors are being
made scapegoats. The ruling is unlikely to change as overseas doctors are
a group who don't 'matter' in political terms, and the harsh reality is
that no other section of society really cares about them. The decent thing
to do would be to allow us at least a couple of years to sort out our
mortgages and our children who are currently in school, as otherwise this
is nothing but a forced expulsion of 10000 individuals who have the same
basic human rights as anyone else.
Competing interests:
Overseas-trained doctor
Competing interests: No competing interests
Did we miss the time period when Ethnic minority doctors were
allegdly given preference.When we used to go for registrar interiews the
moment we saw the fellow canditates we would know what our chances are
realistically.This continues in a different manner now when we go for
interviews for position as Clinical directors or other high
positions.Unfortunately thsi is the experience of most of us especially
when we return from countries like USA where merit appears to be respected
irrepective of skin pigmentation
Competing interests:
Think that I am as good as other hues if given a fair chance
Competing interests: No competing interests
It's with some surprise, I read Dr Sutcliffe's assertion that "It is
not long ago that an applicant from an ethnic minority would have been
thought to get preferential treatment, as 'quotas' were introduced which
employers sought to achieve in order to look non- discriminatory."
I wonder whether Dr Sutcliffe or anyone else would care to confirm
the accuracy of the above statment, with evidence as to which employer/s
gave "preferential treatment" to ethnic minority applicants, and
when,how,and by whom such "quotas" were introduced.
Given the Race Relations Act 1976(as amended) does not in any sense
suggest or condone preferential treatment or positive discrimination,it
might be sensible for BMJ editors to validate the accuracy of the public
statement made by the above respondent.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
There has been much debate on this topic, both in the pages of this
journal, the rapid responses, and on other fora for medical discussion.
Most parties agree that there needs to be some protection from those who
are already part way through their training, and I sincerely hope the
government will ensure that these individuals are protected.
This policy, however, seems to me to be consistent with the policy of
the world health organisation, who has recently expressed concern that
countries such as the UK are encouraging an exodus of doctors from less
privileged nations. This policy is, surely, consistent with trying to
ensure that medically qualified individuals, for whom the NHS has no
training capacity, return to their home nation in order that their
services may be enlisted for their own peoples. We here anecdotes of
international graudates who have completed their PLABS and spend years
desperately applying for jobs. These individuals skills and knowledge
would surely be better employed in their home nations, until a training
post became available for them.
Britain should, however, consider itself to have an obligation to
teach and train international graduates from less privileged nations.
These trained individuals will then serve as couriers for skills and
techniques learnt, and hopefully take on the role of teacher in their own
nation - ultimately removing the need for international graduates to come
to the UK for training, and perhaps we may even see british graduates
going to these nations for training. This new policy does not seem to
accommodate ensuring that we can offer this service to the international
community.
It is not long ago that an applicant from an ethnic minority would
have been thought to get preferential treatment, as 'quotas' were
introduced which employers sought to achieve in order to look non-
discriminatory. Now things seem to have turned full circle. What we need
is to strike an appropriate balance. Perhaps this is something which
should be considered as part of the centralised recruitment regimen
anticipated for run through training?
Competing interests:
will be competing for run through training in 2007
Competing interests: No competing interests
Having been a practising consultant in skin and sexually transmitted
diseases in Mumbai for the past decade and a half, I am witnessing a
virtual procession of physicians from the United Kingdom to India!
Numerous General Surgeons, Orthopaedicians and the like are already back
in their parent country and trying to set up their practice.
I fully endorse the author's view that with rising income among the
Indian population the healthcare industry is booming. To add to the rising
health awareness among the locals, thousands of overseas patients are
queing up in hospitals in Mumbai, Chennnai etc. for coronary bypass
surgery, arthroplasty etc. Indian physicians are having a great time being
in demand not only from their own brethren but also from the numerous
overseas citizens working in Back process offices (BPO) in the country.
And they say that this is just the beginning!
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
The issue about the current plight of non-EU doctors has generated
powerful emotions, not only in the UK but also among doctors who trained
in UK but presently practicing in USA. However, we are of the opinion that
the affected colleagues should not allow the spillage of emotions to
prevent them from embarking upon clear steps to secure what is best for
them and their families, hence our pragmatic recommendations.
Firstly, no one is arguing that England has the right to take care of
her own doctors first. What many people find immoral is the haste at which
the government wants the affected doctors to pack their bags and depart
the UK without giving them enough time to plan their next moves. It is
also unfortunate that the BMA, to whom many of these doctors subscribe, is
assuming a position of impotence and helplessness, when clearly, it should
be able to exact a lot of pressure, for the government to either grant the
doctors currently trapped in this unfortunate situation, permanent
residency. This would allow them to compete with the EU imports.
Alternatively, pressure could be bared on the govern to give a 4-year
notice for the policy to be implemented, thus giving people enough time to
plan for themselves and their families. In that interim, the GMC could
suspend PLAB or give a clear-cut disclaimer that passing it does not
entitle you to a visa or a move to the UK. In other to right this wrong,
we believe the government as well as BMA could still re-visit the decision
and reward the doctors currently in the system, who have served the NHS so
well in its hour of need, with permanent residence.
If that is not forthcoming, the affected doctors should make a
decision whether they want to return home or continue their sojourn
abroad. There are lots of areas abroad that would welcome highly trained
British doctors into their health system.
1)The doctors can do the United States Medical Licensing Examination
(USMLE) and move over to USA. Information about USMLE can be obtained on
www.usmle.org, www.fsmb.org, and www.ecfmg.org. Apart from better job
prospects for the doctors concerned, due to its size, the opportunities
for children is also incomparable.
2)Furthermore, some states like Maine or New Hampshire may recognize
UK training in lieu of postgraduate residency in USA. For more
information, readers can contact Maine licensing board website at
ww.docboard.org/me/me_home.htm or the New Hampshire Board of Medicine
website at www.nh.gov/medicine/pi.html.
3)In Canada, a couple of provinces may license qualified individuals
with full GMC registration and membership of a Royal College. The ones
that readily spring to mind include New-Foundland, Saskatchewan. The
following websites might be useful. http://www.img-
canada.ca/en/provinces/newfoundland/cat-reg.html
The above recommendations should be individualized. For some people,
returning home may be the most pragmatic option. For example, it is our
current understanding that in India, private practice for British and
American trained doctors is lucrative. The most important thing however is
to take your future in you hands and make the next move.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Dear Editor,
I am an overseas doctor who came to the UK 2 years ago looking for
postgraduate training, I came here because the UK has a very good
postgraduate training scheme. I was enthusiastic, full of energy and
aiming to achieve something.When I came here my plan was to complete my
training in surgery and then go back to my country so I can help develop
the health system there and try to use the skills I gained in teaching
other doctors in my country who did not had the chance to come here.I did
the exams and I passed I was happy that the hard work has ended and I will
now start my training. I woke up from a nice dream on a nightmare I could
not find any hospital post for 9 months,however I kept applying and during
this period I participated in a research project which enhanced my
CV.After 9 months of hard work I was rewarded by a foundation programme
job,I was relieved and said to myself thats it I think the dream will
become true,unfortunately not.By ending the permit free training
arrangement for overseas doctors I think the dream came to an end before
it even started.By ending the competition among doctors for the jobs I do
not think hospitals will get the best doctors around.I have not seen any
developed country clearly states that if you want a job you need not be
the best, all you need to do is to show us your passport!
Competing interests:
I am an overseas doctor
Competing interests: No competing interests
Dear Sir/Madam,
I think this knee-jerk reaction rule proposed by health department
will not survive the test of time. NHS always needed overseas trained
doctors and it will always need.
This proposed rule is a reaction to recent reports that UK trained
doctors could'nt find a post. Hence health department came up with this
'novel' idea. This will also fail as there previous ideas. You will see
full page advertisements in developing countries by NHS in 1-2 years
looking for doctors as they did before.
Thanks
Competing interests:
I am overseas trained doctor currently working in NHS
Competing interests: No competing interests
GMC must inform candidates of legislative change
In light of recent legislative recommendations, surely the GMC, must
include in every response to a request to sit the infamous PLAB
examination, information regarding these legislative changes. In addition,
there must now surely be no requirement to host PLAB abroad.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests