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Rules leave 200 doctor vacancies Rules leave 200 doctor vacancies
(30 minutes later)
Nearly 200 doctors' jobs at four Welsh NHS trusts are vacant because of new immigration rules, it is claimed. Nearly 200 doctors' jobs at four NHS trusts are vacant because of a new Australian-style points system for immigrants, it is claimed.
Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood, who has researched the issue, said some health trusts had to rely on locum or agency doctors to fill the gaps. Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood said some health trusts had to rely on locum or agency doctors to fill the gaps.
In Cardiff, there are 65 vacancies for junior doctors while in Swansea two hospital wards have had to shut.In Cardiff, there are 65 vacancies for junior doctors while in Swansea two hospital wards have had to shut.
The assembly government said there were recruitment problems across the UK and agencies were working to address them.The assembly government said there were recruitment problems across the UK and agencies were working to address them.
Ms Wood said up to 43% of the medical workforce in parts of Wales have an ethnic origin from outside the EU, highlighting the reliance on staff from countries such as India and Pakistan.Ms Wood said up to 43% of the medical workforce in parts of Wales have an ethnic origin from outside the EU, highlighting the reliance on staff from countries such as India and Pakistan.
WELSH NHS TRUST FIGURES ON RECRUITMENT Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: Rule changes are affecting middle grade junior doctor recruitment - 35 vacanciesCardiff and Vale: Rule change means even if a suitably qualified doctor from non-EU country is found it is difficult to obtain work permit - 65 vacanciesCwm Taf: About 20 vacancies for post normally expected to be filled by doctors coming from outside the EU , mainly in paediatrics and A&E.Gwent: Reduced availability of medical staff over last 12 to 18 months, vacancy levels in key specialties running at 15-25% Hywel Dda: A number of outstanding vacancies, hard to fill specialities include medicine, paediatrics and anaestheticsNorth West Wales: Rule changes have had a detrimental effect on recruitment of training trade and speciality doctor grades for August 2009 North Wales: 77.5 vacancies, although 13 doctors are due to start work this month. Locums are operating from August in some specialist areas including obstetrics and gynaecology and surgery. Source: Leanne Wood AM WELSH NHS TRUST FIGURES ON RECRUITMENT Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: Rule changes are affecting middle grade junior doctor recruitment - 35 vacanciesCardiff and Vale: Rule change means even if a suitably qualified doctor from non-EU country is found it is difficult to obtain work permit - 65 vacanciesCwm Taf: About 20 vacancies for post normally expected to be filled by doctors coming from outside the EU , mainly in paediatrics and A&E.Gwent: Reduced availability of medical staff over last 12 to 18 months, vacancy levels in key specialties running at 15-25% Hywel Dda: A number of outstanding vacancies, hard to fill specialities include medicine, paediatrics and anaestheticsNorth West Wales: Rule changes have had a detrimental effect on recruitment of training trade and speciality doctor grades for August 2009 North Wales: 77.5 vacancies, although 13 doctors are due to start work this month. Locums are operating from August in some specialist areas including obstetrics and gynaecology and surgery. Source: Leanne Wood AM
She said health trusts have told her they are facing difficulty recruiting doctors because of the new rules.She said health trusts have told her they are facing difficulty recruiting doctors because of the new rules.
The AM has raised the issued with Health Minister Edwina Hart.The AM has raised the issued with Health Minister Edwina Hart.
Ms Wood said: "I have had concerns about this since I discovered that hospital wards had to be closed in the Cwm Taf area over the Christmas period last year.Ms Wood said: "I have had concerns about this since I discovered that hospital wards had to be closed in the Cwm Taf area over the Christmas period last year.
"I fear that unless this situation is addressed, services will be deemed unsustainable.""I fear that unless this situation is addressed, services will be deemed unsustainable."
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "Changes in immigration rules have caused UK-wide problems with recruitment and we're working together with other home nations governments and trusts to address these issues.A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "Changes in immigration rules have caused UK-wide problems with recruitment and we're working together with other home nations governments and trusts to address these issues.
'Raise the bar''Raise the bar'
"Work is under way to address the shortfall of doctors, assembly government officials have met with the UK Border Agency and additional guidance has been issued to NHS trusts to help improve recruitment.""Work is under way to address the shortfall of doctors, assembly government officials have met with the UK Border Agency and additional guidance has been issued to NHS trusts to help improve recruitment."
In July a senior surgeon called for immigration rules for overseas doctors to be revised to allow for increased recruitment of middle-grade medics.
Keshav Singhal, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, 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."
A UK Border Agency spokesperson said the UK immigration points-based system does not prevent overseas doctors the health service needs from coming in.A UK Border Agency spokesperson said the UK immigration points-based system does not prevent overseas doctors the health service needs from coming in.
"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."