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 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/07/free-movement-of-doctors-has-served-the-nhs-well
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Free movement of doctors has served the NHS well Free movement of doctors has served the NHS well | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The government, the NHS and the public need to value and support all NHS staff, wherever they are from (Hunt promises to end NHS reliance on overseas doctors, 4 October). The recent announcement of 1,500 extra medical school places is welcome. But, as over a quarter of current NHS doctors are from overseas, the extra places will not in themselves produce a self-sufficient UK medical workforce, and we will still need our overseas doctors. | The government, the NHS and the public need to value and support all NHS staff, wherever they are from (Hunt promises to end NHS reliance on overseas doctors, 4 October). The recent announcement of 1,500 extra medical school places is welcome. But, as over a quarter of current NHS doctors are from overseas, the extra places will not in themselves produce a self-sufficient UK medical workforce, and we will still need our overseas doctors. |
| The announcement has led to our colleagues from overseas feeling that they may not be as valued as UK doctors and is affecting morale. We cannot let this happen. | The announcement has led to our colleagues from overseas feeling that they may not be as valued as UK doctors and is affecting morale. We cannot let this happen. |
| Currently a quarter of NHS doctors are from overseas, and the NHS has benefited from their talents, their abilities and their will to work with us in the UK. We must continue to support them, despite the insecurity caused by the Brexit situation, and reassure them that they are valued and needed. | Currently a quarter of NHS doctors are from overseas, and the NHS has benefited from their talents, their abilities and their will to work with us in the UK. We must continue to support them, despite the insecurity caused by the Brexit situation, and reassure them that they are valued and needed. |
| Diseases know no borders, and medicine has therefore developed as an international profession, with global cooperation in research, drug development, standards of patient care, and free movement of doctors around the world. This model has served the UK and the NHS well for decades. Moving away from it is a major risk to the success of the NHS.Professor Jane DacrePresident, Royal College of PhysiciansClare MarxPresident, Royal College of Surgeons | Diseases know no borders, and medicine has therefore developed as an international profession, with global cooperation in research, drug development, standards of patient care, and free movement of doctors around the world. This model has served the UK and the NHS well for decades. Moving away from it is a major risk to the success of the NHS.Professor Jane DacrePresident, Royal College of PhysiciansClare MarxPresident, Royal College of Surgeons |
| • While the government’s proposed ban on UK-trained doctors working overseas may sound appealing, it is a tacit admission of failure. | • While the government’s proposed ban on UK-trained doctors working overseas may sound appealing, it is a tacit admission of failure. |
| As part of my training I benefited greatly from working in a rural African setting. Quite apart from what I hope I contributed, I returned to the UK with new skills, greater knowledge and full of enthusiasm for my chosen profession. | As part of my training I benefited greatly from working in a rural African setting. Quite apart from what I hope I contributed, I returned to the UK with new skills, greater knowledge and full of enthusiasm for my chosen profession. |
| Ever since, I have encouraged my junior colleagues to embrace any opportunity to work in a developing country. Many choose to do so after two years of working – the logical time in the highly structured and inflexible (government-imposed) training structure. | Ever since, I have encouraged my junior colleagues to embrace any opportunity to work in a developing country. Many choose to do so after two years of working – the logical time in the highly structured and inflexible (government-imposed) training structure. |
| I suspect the health secretary imagines doctors are rushing to work in Australia and New Zealand – and of course some do. But a thoughtless blanket four-year ban will have consequences for many developing countries that benefit from UK doctors. The proposed ban is necessary only because the failure to support the NHS has led to it becoming such a stressful place in which to work. People do not choose to go and live thousands of miles from their family and friends if they are enjoying their work. | I suspect the health secretary imagines doctors are rushing to work in Australia and New Zealand – and of course some do. But a thoughtless blanket four-year ban will have consequences for many developing countries that benefit from UK doctors. The proposed ban is necessary only because the failure to support the NHS has led to it becoming such a stressful place in which to work. People do not choose to go and live thousands of miles from their family and friends if they are enjoying their work. |
| Rather than yet another negative restriction on junior doctors’ working lives, can I suggest the health secretary reflect on a more carrot-oriented approach: that of making the NHS such a fulfilling and exciting place to work that anyone who chooses to spend some time overseas spends that year moaning about how great it is back in the UK and returns promptly.Dr Ed MoranConsultant in infectious disease, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham | Rather than yet another negative restriction on junior doctors’ working lives, can I suggest the health secretary reflect on a more carrot-oriented approach: that of making the NHS such a fulfilling and exciting place to work that anyone who chooses to spend some time overseas spends that year moaning about how great it is back in the UK and returns promptly.Dr Ed MoranConsultant in infectious disease, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham |
| • Jeremy Hunt has proposed that young doctors should be prevented from working overseas for a period of four years after qualifying in order to alleviate the staffing crisis in the NHS, or else face a fine by paying back some of their training costs. Perhaps I could propose that former cabinet ministers be prevented from taking up lucrative directorships or consultancies with private companies for four years after leaving office. After all, much of their expertise and their contacts would have been accrued at taxpayers’ expense while they were in post.Dr John NottinghamRavensthorpe, Northamptonshire | • Jeremy Hunt has proposed that young doctors should be prevented from working overseas for a period of four years after qualifying in order to alleviate the staffing crisis in the NHS, or else face a fine by paying back some of their training costs. Perhaps I could propose that former cabinet ministers be prevented from taking up lucrative directorships or consultancies with private companies for four years after leaving office. After all, much of their expertise and their contacts would have been accrued at taxpayers’ expense while they were in post.Dr John NottinghamRavensthorpe, Northamptonshire |
| • Jeremy Hunt should also commit himself and his government to ending our reliance on bricklayers, plumbers, joiners and workers in many other trades and industries. How could they do this? By making employers offer decent pay and conditions. That would make such employment attractive to Britons who, justifiably, expect to be treated decently and are not as desperate as others.David HibbertChadderton, Greater Manchester | • Jeremy Hunt should also commit himself and his government to ending our reliance on bricklayers, plumbers, joiners and workers in many other trades and industries. How could they do this? By making employers offer decent pay and conditions. That would make such employment attractive to Britons who, justifiably, expect to be treated decently and are not as desperate as others.David HibbertChadderton, Greater Manchester |
| • Theresa May’s statement “Our NHS” (Key points, 6 October) needs to be backed up by immediate real-term funding. Her quote is reminiscent of the phrase “the NHS is safe in our hands”. Yet under every Conservative prime minister since 1980 the proportion of the nation’s GDP going to health has fallen. | • Theresa May’s statement “Our NHS” (Key points, 6 October) needs to be backed up by immediate real-term funding. Her quote is reminiscent of the phrase “the NHS is safe in our hands”. Yet under every Conservative prime minister since 1980 the proportion of the nation’s GDP going to health has fallen. |
| Who can disagree with Margaret Thatcher’s “we can only have the services we can afford”? But over the years we have not afforded as much as other western nations – currently running at 9.1% of GDP compared with Germany’s 10.3% and France’s 11.6%. Yet our research shows that the NHS is still one of the most effective and efficient in reducing feasible adult deaths. | Who can disagree with Margaret Thatcher’s “we can only have the services we can afford”? But over the years we have not afforded as much as other western nations – currently running at 9.1% of GDP compared with Germany’s 10.3% and France’s 11.6%. Yet our research shows that the NHS is still one of the most effective and efficient in reducing feasible adult deaths. |
| Every prime minister should be held to account so we can test between rhetoric and delivery.Professor Colin PritchardSouthampton | Every prime minister should be held to account so we can test between rhetoric and delivery.Professor Colin PritchardSouthampton |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |