The government has rushed through
new visa restrictions for overseas doctors without regard for their
welfare,
the BMA and the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
(BAPIO) say today.
The two bodies are critical of the implementation of the changes which,
they believe, took place without adequate consultation. The new rules,
which were introduced on 3 April, bar NHS hospitals from recruiting
junior doctors from outside the EU unless they can demonstrate that
no UK doctor is available to fill the post. The BMA and BAPIO are concerned
for the welfare of the overseas junior doctors who are already in the
UK, most of whom are either on short term contracts, or out of post.
Dr Jo Hilborne, chairman of the BMA’s Junior Doctors Committee,
said:
“ This has caused a huge amount of confusion and anxiety
among overseas doctors. There is definitely a need for a new system
where the number of doctors coming to the country is based on the needs
of the NHS, but what the government is doing is unfair on the doctors
who are already here. Many are going to have to completely uproot themselves
and their families, take their children out of school, sell their homes,
and make arrangements to leave the country, all at very short notice.”
The BMA and BAPIO are calling for:
- Overseas junior doctors who are currently working in the UK to
be allowed to complete their training without a permit.
- Overseas doctors who are living in the UK, but are not currently
employed, to be given a grace period of up to two years in which
to find a training
post.
- Doctors who come from overseas, but who graduated from a UK medical
school, to be allowed to complete all of their training in the
NHS, not just the two years stipulated by the new rules.
Dr Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO, said
“ We are happy that
the BMA has joined us in condemning the implementation of new immigration
rules which were introduced without warning or consultation. BAPIO
feels that the new rule is unfair and unjust, and leads to discrimination
against doctors who have been the backbone of the NHS since its inception.
We are pleased to be working with the BMA to find an urgent solution
which will be fair to both UK graduates and overseas doctors.”
Dr Edwin Borman, chairman of the BMA’s International Committee,
said
“ The way these changes have been introduced is horrifying.
These are doctors who’ve devoted a huge amount of talent, time,
and energy to the NHS, and are now facing the prospect of enforced
departure without any gratitude from the UK. The UK’s reputation
in international medicine is also being harmed.”
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