International doctors have always been an integral part of the NHS but unfortunately, their contribution has often been overlooked and undervalued. The pressures caused by COVID-19 brought these into sharp relief, with a number of overseas doctors becoming some of the first victims of the pandemic as it hit UK hospitals.
RCSEd places huge value on both its international members and the pivotal role they play in delivering NHS services. To this end, we launched an international manifesto in April that called for five clear changes to be made to recognise and support our UK based international members and fellows.
We are delighted that our own lobbying and joint campaigning with other medical organisations has now resulted in most of our asks being met, namely:
• Scrapping the immigration health surcharge for NHS workers and their dependents.
• Ensuring that medical professionals who came to the UK to train in the NHS and who are now on the frontline of the Coronavirus crisis are allowed to complete their training.
• Continuing the current policy of not capping Tier 2 visas for NHS staff.
We will continue to lobby on the remaining asks of ensuring any future visa routes remains open for doctors looking to train and work in the UK and giving spouses and dependents with appropriate medical qualifications and experience the opportunity to work in the NHS.
For more information, contact Jeannie Hyslop Parsons or Luke John Davies at birmingham@rcsed.ac.uk