I would have like to have had home grown products who feed into our NHS

The Dr Ian Bogle, BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) has also suggested that doctors who are asylum seekers might be given help to work for the National Health Service.

Earlier this month the NHS said it was to draft in 50 nurses from China because of a staffing shortage.

The government has yet to outline the scale of its recruitment drive but says it is anxious not to tempt doctors from Africa and Asia where they are desperately needed.

In the new NHS national plan, the government has budgeted for an extra 2,000 places in medical schools over the next two years but it also says more doctors are needed now.

'Mentoring system'

The plans have been welcomed by medical practitioners as a practical solution to the current shortages.

Dr Ian Bogle, chairman of the BMA said: "There is no doubt that in the short term it is the government's intention to put in a drive, particularly in Europe and to some extent in Australia and North America to try to bolster up the numbers at present.

Training standards of some countries are not acceptable here

Andrew Foster, NHS Confederation

"We're sorry we have to do this: I would have liked to have had home grown products who feed into our National Health Service, and that is the intention in the future, but I don't see any alternative."

Andrew Foster, speaking for the NHS Confederation, said: "It seems to be extremely sensible that where there is an abundance elsewhere and a shortage here to bring the two together."

The government says it is also looking at the possibility of employing medically-qualified asylum seekers.

Dr Bogle said: "We are putting to the government various proposals, including a system of mentoring, where an established doctor in this country will take responsibility for an asylum-seeking doctor."

Mr Forster added: "The absolutely crucial factor is to ensure that these doctors from whatever country have the appropriate levels of training and skills.

"Training regimes differ from country to country and it is quite often the case that the training standards of some countries are not acceptable here."