Leicester University is inviting refugee doctors to take part in a course which would help them to work in the UK.

The university's South Trent Deanery is holding its first meeting for refugee doctors on Wednesday.

The doctors will be advised about a number of issues including training, medical council registration and exams.

The meeting comes after calls by the president of the Royal College of Physicians to make it easier for refugee and other doctors from overseas to practise medicine within the National Health Service.

Career structure

The university wants to attract at least 20 doctors to this first meeting.

Mr Davinder Sandhu, associate postgraduate dean for overseas doctors, who organised the course, said: "The purpose of the meeting is to help refugee doctors integrate into a constructive career structure in the National Health Service.

"This can be achieved by advice on affordable or free medical English courses, General Medical Council registration and professional exams.

"There will also be an opportunity to develop study groups, clinical attachments, mentoring and make use of library and journal clubs."

Valuable resource

Representatives from the Refugee Education and Training Advisory Service and the General Medical Council will speak at the meeting.

Professor Sir George Alberti, the president of the Royal College of Physicians said on Tuesday that regulations should be relaxed to make it easier for refugee doctors to work.

Sir George said that refugee doctors were a valuable human resource which should not be wasted.