BMA Comment On Overseas Doctors Ruling, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 10 Nov 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The Court of Appeal yesterday ruled that government guidance making it harder for doctors on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme to take up training posts in the NHS was unlawful.

Commenting on the judgment, Mr Ram Moorthy, chairman of the BMA's Junior Doctors Committee, says:

"The BMA believes this is the right decision. Doctors on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme came to the UK in the honest expectation of careers in the NHS. The BMA has never wavered from the view that they should be able to compete for training posts alongside their UK colleagues.

"What's crucial now is that the government produces clear guidance for international medical graduates applying for jobs next year. The chaotic implementation of the new immigration rules left overseas doctors exposed to potential discrimination."

The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) had also appealed against a High Court ruling that the government did not have a legal duty to consult overseas doctors before tightening immigration rules last year. This appeal was unsuccessful.

Notes:

Previous BMA press releases on overseas doctors:

- Most doctors oppose medical immigration plans
- Government proposals unfair on overseas doctors
- Government did not consult on visa restrictions for overseas doctors

http://www.bma.org.uk