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28/05/2003
Conference set to highlight plight of 'refugee doctors'
A conference is to be held in London next week that will call for improved employment rights for "refugee doctors".
The conference, 'Supporting Refugee Doctors to Practise in the UK', aims to bring together government departments, trade unions, the private sector, and voluntary and community sector organisations to discuss the services and support given to refugee doctors, and highlight their needs and potential.
The Refugee Council estimates that there are roughly 2000 refugee doctors living in the UK who are unable to practise, and while a number of initiatives are underway to tackle this problem, the council says that refugee doctors still face "multiple barriers to employment and integration into the labour market".
As a result, the vast majority of refugee doctors are never able to practise in the UK and end up doing menial jobs for which they are clearly overqualified, the council has said.
Dr Edwin Borman, Chairman of the BMA International Committee, said: "The BMA has championed the cause of refugee doctors because we know that these are our colleagues whom we feel that, ethically, we should support and who we know, given the opportunity, will contribute to the country that has given them sanctuary.
"Our experience to date has shown that they are exceeding our expectations".
The Department of Health has established a steering group on refugee health professionals which has already allocated £1 million to projects assisting refugee doctors and other refugee health professionals. Projects are also being set up in many parts of the UK to support refugee doctors.
Dr Rumani, a refugee expected to address the conference, said: "I very much hope that this conference will give refugee doctors like myself a chance to share their experiences. There are a lot of organisations helping refugee doctors but I feel more can be done by the government to both aid and support refugee doctors back into employment in order to reach their own targets."
The conference is due to take place on Wednesday June 4 at Kings College London and will feature speakers from a variety of agencies including the Department of Health and the British Medical Association.
(GMcG)
The conference, 'Supporting Refugee Doctors to Practise in the UK', aims to bring together government departments, trade unions, the private sector, and voluntary and community sector organisations to discuss the services and support given to refugee doctors, and highlight their needs and potential.
The Refugee Council estimates that there are roughly 2000 refugee doctors living in the UK who are unable to practise, and while a number of initiatives are underway to tackle this problem, the council says that refugee doctors still face "multiple barriers to employment and integration into the labour market".
As a result, the vast majority of refugee doctors are never able to practise in the UK and end up doing menial jobs for which they are clearly overqualified, the council has said.
Dr Edwin Borman, Chairman of the BMA International Committee, said: "The BMA has championed the cause of refugee doctors because we know that these are our colleagues whom we feel that, ethically, we should support and who we know, given the opportunity, will contribute to the country that has given them sanctuary.
"Our experience to date has shown that they are exceeding our expectations".
The Department of Health has established a steering group on refugee health professionals which has already allocated £1 million to projects assisting refugee doctors and other refugee health professionals. Projects are also being set up in many parts of the UK to support refugee doctors.
Dr Rumani, a refugee expected to address the conference, said: "I very much hope that this conference will give refugee doctors like myself a chance to share their experiences. There are a lot of organisations helping refugee doctors but I feel more can be done by the government to both aid and support refugee doctors back into employment in order to reach their own targets."
The conference is due to take place on Wednesday June 4 at Kings College London and will feature speakers from a variety of agencies including the Department of Health and the British Medical Association.
(GMcG)
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The valuable skills of hundreds of refugee doctors are not being put to the best use, according to figures published today by the British Medical Association. Marking National Refugee Week, the BMA highlighted the contribution made by refugee and asylum-seeking doctors who are working, or trying to work, in the NHS.
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The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
