More Exchange Opportunities For International Doctors, UK

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 27 Feb 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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More overseas junior doctors will be able to take up a two-year training placement in the NHS, Health Minister Ann Keen announced today.

The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) that provided 250 time-limited placements for doctors from developing countries last year will now be expanded in stages to provide up to 750 opportunities.

The expansion of MTI will mean that:

- International medical graduates from English-speaking developing countries where medical training is not widely available will be able to secure more vital training and work experience in this country.

- The NHS can continue to exchange expertise and experience with other parts of the world.

Health Minister Ann Keen said:

''We recognise the enormous contribution made by International Medical Graduates and the importance of maintaining these valuable links between the UK and other parts of the world.

"I am very pleased to be able to expand MTI which will give greater numbers of doctors from developing countries the chance to secure vital training and work experience in this country. We will benefit greatly from their time with us and when they return home, they will be able to apply the skills and knowledge developed during their time here."

The Department of Health has been working together with key partners towards the extension of this initiative, including the General Medical Council, British Medical Association, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) and NHS Employers.

BAPIO president, Dr Ramesh Mehta said:

"BAPIO is delighted that the Department of Health is expanding this initiative which allows international doctors to train and benefit from medical expertise in the UK. We are also pleased that this will ensure the preservation of our strong historical links with the UK."

David Grantham, Head of Programmes at NHS Employers, said:

"NHS Employers supports future development of the MTI. The NHS benefits enormously from the international exchange of doctors, and this scheme in particular is built around reciprocal sharing of NHS knowledge and experience with other nations."

Notes

1. For more information visit here.

2. The MTI placements can only be made available where a suitable UK doctor cannot be found for the placement.

3. Doctors accepted to the MTI scheme must be from developing countries where medical training is not widely available.

4. MTI visas are limited to two years and doctors will then not be allowed to return on another MTI visa for five years.

Department of Health, UK

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