The NHS needs more doctors

The BMA says it has 955 refugee and asylum-seeking doctors on its database - but only 57 said they were actually practising in the UK.

More may actually be working, said the association, but a large majority were definitely out of work.

The BMA blames funding problems and poor understanding of the UK system.

Refugees and asylum seekers come here with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Dr Shakiba Habibula

Many of the doctors on the database have refugee status but have not yet passed the exams they need to practice in the UK.

The BMA said often this was because they were unfamiliar with how the system worked in the UK or were struggling to fund their studies.

Tough struggle

Among the refugee doctors who struggled to find work in the UK is Dr Shakiba Habibula, who came from Afghanistan to study in 1995 and when the Taliban came to power decided to claim asylum in the UK.

She applied for clinical attachments in 20 hospitals but none replied so she continued her studies in public health, funding herself by working as a secretary, shop assistant and receptionist.

Dr Habibula now works as a public health doctor in the Oxford Deanery.

She said: "When I look back I realise I could have been doing this job eight years ago but I didn't understand the system and there was no-one to give me advice.

"Refugees and asylum seekers come here with a wealth of knowledge and experience which they offer at no cost, yet they get hardly any support to help them get back to work and make a contribution."

Not recognised

Dr Javier Pineda arrived in the UK from Colombia in 1990. He was already an experienced doctor but took jobs as waiter and kitchen porter to make ends meet because his medical qualifications were not recognised.

In 2000 he worked as a medical officer with an aid charity in East Timor, but since returning to the UK has been barred from medical practice because he has still to pass exams to test his basic medical competence and communication skills.

He said: "When I pass my exams I want to work in the NHS as a physician, but in the meantime it would be great if I could find a job as a paramedic to get to know the British system."

Better training needed

Dr Edwin Borman, chairman of the BMA's International Committee, said the NHS would benefit hugely if more support and training were given to refugee doctors.

He said: "The skills of medically qualified refugees are badly needed and it's ironic that so many are unable to work.

"It costs �250,000 to train a British medical student to become a doctor, but as little as �10,000 to prepare a refugee doctor to practise,"

Dr Borman said from August the European Working Time Directive would impose new limits on junior doctors' hours, which would put an even greater premium on finding new doctors to share the workload.

The BMA conference in Llandudno, North Wales, later this month will hear calls for fairer rules on visas and benefits for refugee doctors.

Doctors will also call for measures to make it easier for them to find hospital attachments so they can prepare themselves for work in the NHS.

Health Minister John Hutton said the government was tackling the problem.

"The Department of Health has allocated �1.5m over the past three years to provide training and support for refugee health professionals to help them prepare for regulatory exams and apply for jobs in the NHS.

"A further �500,000 has been made available this year to support local refugee projects.

"The government recognises the importance of encouraging refugee doctors to continue their career in the NHS as it will benefit these doctors and NHS patients alike.

"The majority of the 955 refugee doctors on the BMA database are still working towards registration and are benefiting from the support that is being provided across the UK."