It is estimated between 800 and 1,200 asylum seekers and refugees in the UK qualified as doctors in the countries from which they fled.

Currently it is a long and arduous process for these doctors to adapt their skills to the medical culture of the NHS.

But the British Medical Association (BMA) is keen to improve their chances, particularly as there is a nationwide shortage of doctors.

We have an NHS desperately in need of more staff and large numbers of qualified refugee doctors who want and need to work Dr Edwin Borman, BMA

The BMA's Refugee Doctor Liaison Group has drawn up guidelines by which they might be able to get attachments to work in UK hospitals.

These would be unpaid, and usually last between two and four months - but give the doctors, many of whom are unable to provide references - a way into the health service.

Dr Edwin Borman, who chairs the BMA International Committee, told BBC News Online many doctors who could be helping to ease shortages in the UK were reduced to starting completely different careers because the path back to medicine was so difficult.

He said: "We currently have a situation whereby we have an NHS desperately in need of more staff and large numbers of qualified refugee doctors who want and need to work.

"It would be a waste if all these doctors ended up living on state benefit when the NHS needs their skills."

He added: "These doctors will have to undergo very difficult testing to make sure they are sufficiently skilled to work in this country."

Language tests

Language is the principal barrier for overseas doctors who want to register as a doctor in the UK.

They are required to undergo a rigorous language test - as well as a two-part clinical exam, before they can enter the NHS at the same level as a UK doctor two years out of medical school.

The BMA has introduced a number of schemes to aid refugee doctors in finding training and work in this country.

These include a national register of refugee doctors in partnership with The Refugee Council, a newsletter for refugee doctors, and free subscription to the British Medical Journal, a source of job adverts.