Website of the Department of Health

Report of the Working Group on Refugee Doctors and Dentists

Advisory Group on Medical and Dental Education Training and Staffing, Overseas Doctors Sub-group

This report aims to identify and address the problems medically and dentally qualified refugees face when seeking employment or further training in the United Kingdom. It points out that there is a lack of data on medically qualified refugees available in the United Kingdom and recommends providing them with information at the earliest possible opportunity. Other recommendations are made relating to better local support networks, clinical attachments made at a suitable stage and inductions to the NHS even where no jobs exist. The refugees could also be helped by better access to library and information services. The Working Group also looked at waiving the fees of General Medical Council registration, achieving proper careers counselling and overcoming language barriers, with recommendations made in each case. Other issues considered included re-qualification in the UK and the problems of losing welfare benefits when undertaking clinical attachments.