Overseas Doctors Should Not Be Scapegoated - British Medical Association Comment On House Of Lords Ruling

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 30 Apr 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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It is right that overseas doctors already working in the NHS are allowed to compete for training posts, the BMA says today in response to a House of Lords judgment.

Last year, the High Court ruled that government guidance making it harder for international doctors to be appointed to training posts was unlawful. The House of Lords today rejected a Department of Health appeal against the ruling.

Dr Terry John, Chairman of the BMA's International Committee, today welcomes the judgment:

"It's right that we have a debate about the numbers of doctors coming to the UK in future, but it's completely wrong to scapegoat those already here.

"They are providing a vital service, and the government's continued attempts to change the rules after they've already committed themselves to the NHS are unfair.

"Junior doctors from the UK and overseas alike have been affected by the lack of proper workforce planning in the NHS. We need long-term solutions not knee-jerk reactions."

British Medical Association