Experienced overseas doctors - from outside Europe - should have their eligibility to work in the UK considered more favourably in future following new recommendations.
The UK Border Agency’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has reported to government that some professional qualifications should be considered equivalent to a masters level qualification, which is currently required for Tier 1 immigration in the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
Presently, doctors with years of experience, some of whom have passed Royal College exams or been awarded a CCT to enable them to take up a substantive consultant-level post, do not meet the educational requirements within Tier 1. In a submission earlier this year, the BMA said: “In many instances success at professional examinations and in gaining a CCT will demonstrate more sustained and greater commitment than that required to gain a master’s level qualification.”
In its report, the MAC acknowledged that professional qualifications in addition to an undergraduate medical degree are now considered equivalent to master’s degrees for the points-based system of immigration, following a recent ruling by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Dr Shree Datta, chair of the BMA’s junior doctor committee, said: “It is pleasing that the MAC has today recognised the BMA’s concerns over recent immigration rule changes which could leave the NHS short of doctors. The government must now implement MAC’s recommendations to stop an exodus of UK-trained international doctors from the NHS.
“The BMA has taken hundreds of calls from UK-trained international doctors and medical students distressed with the prospect of having to uproot their families because of the Government’s arbitrary decision to raise the bar for educational attainment from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree. These doctors are vital to the future of the NHS.”
This development follows the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that there would be a reduction in the number of jobs for overseas doctors, and reduced the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list.
There could also be a relaxation of the current rules which prevents overseas doctors, who have attended medical school in the UK, from completing their training here.
The MAC report calls on the UK Border Agency to consider the issue with “relevant stakeholders”. It says: “A situation where medical students can commence their medical training within the UK but cannot complete it does not appear to be optimal and we would not object to amended arrangements being put in place.”
Read the full report.
Tags: Overseas doctors, Workforce
