‘Britain to soften laws to bring in more Indian docs’
16 Jan 2014 5:37 AM IST
Latest figures show that one in five Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments across the country has a shortage of senior doctors, with a national shortfall of more than 300 consultants, Asian Lite, a weekly for the British-Asians reported.
Figures show that trusts are spending about 1500 pounds(Rs 1,50,000) to temporary doctors a day to fill the posts in the A&E departments.
Senior National Health Services officials have drawn up plan to recruit 50 doctors from India at first stage, the weekly reported. The Home Office has already agreed to relax rules on migration of medical workers.
Health Minister Earl Howe said that British medical students were choosing not to pursue a pressurised career in accident and emergency.
They opted for easier specialities like paediatrics and general medicine which let them take on more lucrative private work, he said.
At present, fewer than half of the 200 training placements for A&E consultants are taken up each year.
The overseas recruitment drive comes after ministers warned that the NHS will buckle under the pressure without decisive action.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has previously warned that more doctors are needed to prevent another Mid-Staffordshire scandal.
Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was condemned for ‘appalling’ standards of care after official inquiry found that up to 1,200 patients died unnecessarily between 2005 and 2009.
Howe told MPs on the Commons health select committee that there are too few GPs and accident and emergency consultants.
Figures show that trusts are spending about 1500 pounds(Rs 1,50,000) to temporary doctors a day to fill the posts in the A&E departments.
Senior National Health Services officials have drawn up plan to recruit 50 doctors from India at first stage, the weekly reported. The Home Office has already agreed to relax rules on migration of medical workers.
Health Minister Earl Howe said that British medical students were choosing not to pursue a pressurised career in accident and emergency.
They opted for easier specialities like paediatrics and general medicine which let them take on more lucrative private work, he said.
At present, fewer than half of the 200 training placements for A&E consultants are taken up each year.
The overseas recruitment drive comes after ministers warned that the NHS will buckle under the pressure without decisive action.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has previously warned that more doctors are needed to prevent another Mid-Staffordshire scandal.
Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was condemned for ‘appalling’ standards of care after official inquiry found that up to 1,200 patients died unnecessarily between 2005 and 2009.
Howe told MPs on the Commons health select committee that there are too few GPs and accident and emergency consultants.
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