More UK visas for doctors needed, says leading surgeon
July 31 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
Tough UK visa laws lead to doc shortage
Regions of the UK, and in particular Wales, are struggling to recruit enough doctors from abroad to fill skills shortages, according to a leading surgeon.
Orthopaedic consultant Keshav Singhal says that the recruitment of middle-grade doctors from India has all but stopped since the introduction of tougher UK immigration restrictions earlier this year. He says this recruitment route previously ”filled a lot of gaps in the NHS”.
One Health Trust in West Wales says it has over 60 vacancies for doctors that it cannot fill, effectively rendering its hospitals unsafe.
Singhal explains that the tougher points-based UK immigration system has delayed the visa application process for many foreign doctors. This came alongside new EU restrictions on working hours for junior doctors, which prevent foreigners who come to work in the UK from working enough hours.
The UK Border Agency has defended its system. A spokesperson says, "Foreign doctors can come here to work through Tier 1, which is for highly skilled migrants, or Tier 2, which is for skilled migrants. Students coming to the UK to study medicine can come in under Tier 4.”
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