This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8176289.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rule change plea over doctor jobs Rule change plea over doctor jobs
(41 minutes later)
A senior surgeon is calling for immigration rules for overseas doctors to be revised to allow for increased recruitment of middle-grade medics.A senior surgeon is calling for immigration rules for overseas doctors to be revised to allow for increased recruitment of middle-grade medics.
Keshav Singhal said Wales was more affected by a UK-wide shortage of doctors than other areas.Keshav Singhal said Wales was more affected by a UK-wide shortage of doctors than other areas.
He said: "The recruitment from the Indian subcontinent which traditionally filled a lot of gaps in the NHS has almost completely dried up."He said: "The recruitment from the Indian subcontinent which traditionally filled a lot of gaps in the NHS has almost completely dried up."
The UK Border Agency said the immigration system used was flexible.The UK Border Agency said the immigration system used was flexible.
The British Medical Association in Wales has called for urgent action over the shortage of middle-grade doctors, who often act as the senior doctor on duty in hospitals.The British Medical Association in Wales has called for urgent action over the shortage of middle-grade doctors, who often act as the senior doctor on duty in hospitals.
It has said immigration law changes have led to doctors recruited overseas having their entry to the UK delayed.It has said immigration law changes have led to doctors recruited overseas having their entry to the UK delayed.
One west Wales NHS trust has said it has more than 60 vacant doctor posts which could make some of its hospitals "clinically unsafe".One west Wales NHS trust has said it has more than 60 vacant doctor posts which could make some of its hospitals "clinically unsafe".
The government needs to look at it very seriously and perhaps devise a Welsh-specific solution because it's more of a problem in Wales than it is in home counties Mr Keshav Singhal, consultant orthopaedic surgeonThe government needs to look at it very seriously and perhaps devise a Welsh-specific solution because it's more of a problem in Wales than it is in home counties Mr Keshav Singhal, consultant orthopaedic surgeon
In Swansea, a crisis in doctor recruitment has led the city's in-patient paediatrics unit being moved from Singleton Hospital to Morriston Hospital. The move is being made on Thursday.In Swansea, a crisis in doctor recruitment has led the city's in-patient paediatrics unit being moved from Singleton Hospital to Morriston Hospital. The move is being made on Thursday.
Mr Singhal, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said immigration policy changes as well as the European directive limiting junior doctors' working hours were affecting doctor recruitment. Mr Singhal, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said immigration policy changes as well as the European directive limiting junior doctors' working hours were affecting doctor recruitment.
He said: "The two coming together more or less at the same time has meant that we just don't have enough pairs of hands.He said: "The two coming together more or less at the same time has meant that we just don't have enough pairs of hands.
"The doctors who are permitted to come over [from overseas] are only permitted to do so for very short stretches, which is neither enough to complete their training, nor enough to give them a career in this country."The doctors who are permitted to come over [from overseas] are only permitted to do so for very short stretches, which is neither enough to complete their training, nor enough to give them a career in this country.
"The government needs to look at it very seriously and perhaps devise a Welsh-specific solution because it's more of a problem in Wales than it is in home counties.""The government needs to look at it very seriously and perhaps devise a Welsh-specific solution because it's more of a problem in Wales than it is in home counties."
Points-based systemPoints-based system
He said Wales historically had a recruitment shortfall because locally-trained doctors had a "tendency to gravitate towards London".He said Wales historically had a recruitment shortfall because locally-trained doctors had a "tendency to gravitate towards London".
"That [shortfall] has traditionally been filled by overseas doctors and that has dried up," he said."That [shortfall] has traditionally been filled by overseas doctors and that has dried up," he said.
A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "Our Australian-style points based system does not prevent overseas doctors the health service needs from coming to the UK.A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "Our Australian-style points based system does not prevent overseas doctors the health service needs from coming to the UK.
"Foreign doctors can come here to work through Tier 1, which is for highly skilled migrants, or Tier 2, which is for skilled migrants. Students coming to the UK to study medicine can come in under Tier 4."Foreign doctors can come here to work through Tier 1, which is for highly skilled migrants, or Tier 2, which is for skilled migrants. Students coming to the UK to study medicine can come in under Tier 4.
"The points based system means only those we need can come here to work. It is also flexible so that we can raise or lower the bar according to the needs of the labour market and the country as a whole."The points based system means only those we need can come here to work. It is also flexible so that we can raise or lower the bar according to the needs of the labour market and the country as a whole.
"Overseas doctors who meet the criteria will be welcomed."Overseas doctors who meet the criteria will be welcomed.
"The Migration Advisory Committee has also recognised shortages in a number of specialities and their advice has been accepted by the government.""The Migration Advisory Committee has also recognised shortages in a number of specialities and their advice has been accepted by the government."