15 Jun 2005
The NHS should be using the valuable resource of refugee doctors, Peter Mount, Chair of the NHS Confederation will say today.
In a speech to the NHS Confederation Annual Conference and exhibition, he will say;
'1020 refugee doctors are registered on the BMA/Refugee Council refugee doctor database. 71 refugee doctors are currently working in the NHS.
'It is clear that it is more difficult than it should be for us to employ refugee doctors who bring with them immense skills and enthusiasm.
'There are still too many barriers for them to overcome and there is a real role for NHS organisations to take the lead so we can utilise this valuable resource.
'There is a huge cost of training new staff and recruiting staff from overseas and yet we have qualified refugee doctors on our doorstep. The NHS must work with the Home Office, Department for International Development and our European partners to get this right.
'The NHS was built on immigrant labour and has depended on overseas workers since its inception.
Peter Mount called on all trusts to offer refugee doctors and nurses clinical attachments:
'Our refugee doctors and nurses need periods of clinical attachment particularly in hospitals so they can get a change of competing for the jobs. We can help and if only our organisations took one of two people each, we would enable qualified and talented people to make a real contribution to this country.'
Ends
1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 92% of the organisations that make up the NHS throughout the UK. Its members include the majority of NHS trusts, foundation trusts, ambulance trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; NHS boards and special boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
2. NHS Employers, the employers' organisation for the NHS in England, was launched on 1 November 2004. Its work programme includes pay negotiations, health and safety, equality and diversity, recruitment and retention, the NHS Pension Scheme review, European and UK employment practice, safer recruitment and doctor disciplinary. NHS Employers is part of the NHS Confederation but has its own director, policy board and assembly. Further information on NHS Employers is available at www.nhsemployers.org
For more information contact Head of Public Affairs Sarah Jones on 020 7074 3300 or 07768 546753
Last reviewed 6 Nov 2006