A scheme funded by the Welsh Assembly Government
to assist refugee doctors in Wales to work in the NHS has proved to be
a success, Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart said today.
The scheme called WARD (Wales Asylum Seeking and Refugee Doctors Group)
addresses the education and training needs of refugee and asylum seeker
doctors in Wales by helping them pass the language tests required to
work in the NHS. A drop-in centre is also provided in partnership with
the charity DPIA (Displaced People in Action) which includes medical
journals, access to the internet and other facilities.
Since the scheme began in 2002 those taking part in the scheme have
achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in the tests. So far 14 doctors have
been employed in the NHS in Wales as a result of the scheme.
Mrs Hart said:
" The WARD programme has already proved to be a success.
Every refugee doctor who has found employment in the NHS as a result
of the programme shows that the support the Assembly Government has given
has been a wise investment.
_ Refugees have a long and very successful
history of making an enormous economic and cultural contribution to the
new communities where
they settle. That is why I am committed to having policies to support
refugees and asylum seekers which will enable them to integrate and contribute
to Wales culturally and economically. The success of WARD shows that
it is an investment well worth making."
Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons said:
" Finding employment in the
NHS for refugee doctors can be a daunting prospect. If they are offered
the assistance they need to pass the necessary tests and given the support
needed to find work then they are much more likely to succeed.
_ If we
have people who are trained as doctors in Wales then we want them to
work as doctors. That is what they want too. With this kind
of scheme everyone benefits – the doctor who can use his skills,
the NHS and patients."
The Reverend Aled Edwards, chair of DPIA, said:
" We have been thrilled
with the success of the Assembly sponsored WARD scheme and hope that
Wales’ refugee doctors will be able to make a significant long
term contribution to the NHS in Wales."
News is included
on this website to inform visitors about current health issues, but not
to endorse
any particular view or activity. Material in this news item
was first released by Bristol University (England,
UK) on 13th September 2005. For further information, please visit
their
website using the link below. |
