Foreign doctors 'scapegoat' warning

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The Department of Health is considering changes to the rules for medical graduates from outside the European Economic Area applying to specialist training posts next year.

But the BMA, giving evidence to the consultation, has said that while medical immigration should be better controlled, the thousands of doctors and medical students from overseas who are already in the UK should not be penalised.

Dr Terry John, chair of the BMAs International Committee, said: "Long-term, the UK should be able to produce its own medical workforce and managing medical immigration in the future will be necessary.

"However, the thousands of overseas junior doctors currently providing essential services in UK hospitals must not be scapegoated for the governments poor workforce planning.

"They came to the UK in good faith, and the honest expectation of training opportunities in the NHS.

"The BMA is particularly concerned about overseas students currently spending large amounts of money an average of 23,000 a year during their clinical years to study at UK medical schools.

"International medical students are often making huge personal and financial sacrifices in order to study in the UK.

"If they are not allowed to apply for postgraduate training posts, and are forced to return home, they could face a huge struggle in repaying outstanding debts."