UK immigration rules cause doctor shortages in Wales
September 02 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
Wales NHS hit by UK immigration rules
The National Health Service (NHS) in Wales is facing severe doctor shortages following changes in UK immigration policy.
The changes in the points-based immigration system are intended to decrease UK migration by unskilled workers who do not substantially contribute to the economy.
But some groups say the rules are keeping out urgently-needed workers in important sectors, such as healthcare.
There are nearly 200 vacancies in NHS centres in Wales, with up to 25 percent vacancies in key specialist areas. About 43 percent of the NHS workforce in Wales is from outside the EU, highlighting the sector’s dependence on foreign talent.
Andrem Cottom, Acting Chief Executive of the Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
“The Trust has seen a marked decline in the number of application for medical vacancies. The Trust has been proactive in attempting to fill the higher levels of vacancies in a tough recruitment market and is developing its expertise in attempting to attract medical staff through the available UK immigration routes to fill vacancies.”
Judith Hardisty of the Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust said immigration rules changes have meant that even after identifying suitable candidates from outside the EU, it has been difficult to obtain UK visas for them.
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