This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/07/nhs-gp-india-nhs-doctors-uk
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| NHS considers hiring GPs from India due to rising workload NHS considers hiring GPs from India due to rising workload | |
| (3 months later) | |
| NHS education bosses are considering bringing GPs over from India in a move that could increase the number of doctors in England. | NHS education bosses are considering bringing GPs over from India in a move that could increase the number of doctors in England. |
| Health Education England (HEE) has signed a “memorandum of understanding” (MoU) with Apollo Hospitals in India that could lead to a flow of staff into the NHS if they pass rigorous tests. | Health Education England (HEE) has signed a “memorandum of understanding” (MoU) with Apollo Hospitals in India that could lead to a flow of staff into the NHS if they pass rigorous tests. |
| This week, researchers warned that the increase in GP workloads – up 16% over the past seven years – was unsustainable. Doctors’ leaders said general practice was in crisis after the study showed that family doctors in England are dealing with more frequent and longer consultations with rising numbers of patients. | This week, researchers warned that the increase in GP workloads – up 16% over the past seven years – was unsustainable. Doctors’ leaders said general practice was in crisis after the study showed that family doctors in England are dealing with more frequent and longer consultations with rising numbers of patients. |
| HEE has been tasked by the government with increasing GP numbers by 5,000 by 2020. In the new memorandum of understanding, the plan is to share ideas and staff with India. | HEE has been tasked by the government with increasing GP numbers by 5,000 by 2020. In the new memorandum of understanding, the plan is to share ideas and staff with India. |
| A statement from Apollo Hospitals said: ‘We have signed this memorandum of understanding as a starting point to exploring how both countries can benefit from the mutual exchange of ideas and clinical staff in improving the education and training of healthcare staff and therefore the quality of care provided to patients. | A statement from Apollo Hospitals said: ‘We have signed this memorandum of understanding as a starting point to exploring how both countries can benefit from the mutual exchange of ideas and clinical staff in improving the education and training of healthcare staff and therefore the quality of care provided to patients. |
| “These are initial discussions but we look forward to announcing the outcomes of this work over the coming months and years as it progresses.” | “These are initial discussions but we look forward to announcing the outcomes of this work over the coming months and years as it progresses.” |
| A statement from HEE, which is running a GP recruitment campaign, said: “England and India have signed a memorandum of understanding as a starting point to exploring how both countries can benefit from the mutual exchange of ideas. The details of the MoU are still in discussion. | A statement from HEE, which is running a GP recruitment campaign, said: “England and India have signed a memorandum of understanding as a starting point to exploring how both countries can benefit from the mutual exchange of ideas. The details of the MoU are still in discussion. |
| “Since its establishment in 2013, HEE has honoured its commitment to invest more in GP training by increasing the number of training posts available. We spend nearly £500 million a year on GP training. We will be working closely with NHS England to provide 5,000 more doctors in general practice by 2020.” | “Since its establishment in 2013, HEE has honoured its commitment to invest more in GP training by increasing the number of training posts available. We spend nearly £500 million a year on GP training. We will be working closely with NHS England to provide 5,000 more doctors in general practice by 2020.” |
| Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said doctors would not be simply parachuted into the NHS. “We welcome any expressions of interest from doctors outside of the EU wanting to work in the NHS – but they would first have to undergo GP specialty training, and pass our rigorous entrance assessment. They would also have to pass the GMC’s professional linguistic and assessments board test. | Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said doctors would not be simply parachuted into the NHS. “We welcome any expressions of interest from doctors outside of the EU wanting to work in the NHS – but they would first have to undergo GP specialty training, and pass our rigorous entrance assessment. They would also have to pass the GMC’s professional linguistic and assessments board test. |
| “The RCGP has had a longstanding partnership with Apollo/Medvarsity in India, and we accredit their diploma in family medicine - but this recognises excellence in family medicine at an international level. It is not a shortcut to becoming a GP in the UK. | “The RCGP has had a longstanding partnership with Apollo/Medvarsity in India, and we accredit their diploma in family medicine - but this recognises excellence in family medicine at an international level. It is not a shortcut to becoming a GP in the UK. |
| “Over 3,000 GP trainees a year take the college’s exam. This (MRCGP) is a world-renowned, comprehensive and robust assessment that demonstrates to us - and crucially, our patients – that our trainees are ready to practise independently and safely. | “Over 3,000 GP trainees a year take the college’s exam. This (MRCGP) is a world-renowned, comprehensive and robust assessment that demonstrates to us - and crucially, our patients – that our trainees are ready to practise independently and safely. |
| “The college is working hard to ‘recruit, retain and return’ as many GPs as possible so that we can continue to give our patients the safe care they deserve. If doctors from outside of the UK can undergo and pass our rigorous assessment process, then we would welcome their skills and expertise in UK general practice.” | “The college is working hard to ‘recruit, retain and return’ as many GPs as possible so that we can continue to give our patients the safe care they deserve. If doctors from outside of the UK can undergo and pass our rigorous assessment process, then we would welcome their skills and expertise in UK general practice.” |
| Dr Ramesh Mehta, president of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, told Pulse magazine, which revealed details of the plan, that his contacts in India said HEE wanted as many GPs as possible. | Dr Ramesh Mehta, president of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, told Pulse magazine, which revealed details of the plan, that his contacts in India said HEE wanted as many GPs as possible. |
| He said: “I think it is a pity that HEE have to go abroad to recruit for GP positions. Unfortunately, the training of GPs has not been managed properly over the years.” | He said: “I think it is a pity that HEE have to go abroad to recruit for GP positions. Unfortunately, the training of GPs has not been managed properly over the years.” |
| GPs who come over from India would have to be “given proper support and mentoring so they don’t land in trouble, as has happened in the past when doctors are put in the NHS without proper induction”, he added. | GPs who come over from India would have to be “given proper support and mentoring so they don’t land in trouble, as has happened in the past when doctors are put in the NHS without proper induction”, he added. |
| Dr Umesh Prabhu, former chair and current member of the British International Doctors Association executive committee, said of the plan: “This is a most dangerous thing, because these doctors are not trained to be GPs in the UK. Their training is entirely different. I have concerns for the doctors’ safety and the patients’ safety.” | Dr Umesh Prabhu, former chair and current member of the British International Doctors Association executive committee, said of the plan: “This is a most dangerous thing, because these doctors are not trained to be GPs in the UK. Their training is entirely different. I have concerns for the doctors’ safety and the patients’ safety.” |