GPs and patients failed by visa system – MCG Healthcare July Newsletter
Why are we sending GPs out of the country?
Primary care is in dire need of GPs, but the visa system sends thousands of newly qualified GPs out of the country. International trainees’ visas expire as soon as they get their CCT, and in NHS England’s own words:
‘After completing their training, these GPs either need to return overseas, find employment with an employer that holds a skilled worker visa or if they have already been in the UK for five years or more apply to normalise their status as a UK resident.’
All that might be fine, except for the fact that fewer than 20% of GP surgeries are registered Skilled Worker Visa (formerly Tier 2 Visa) sponsors, and it’s a bureaucratic, 8-12 week process to become one.
About half of GP trainees are International Medical Graduates (IMGs), and although those newly qualified overseas GPs are desperately needed, thousands won’t be able to work because there aren’t enough visas to go around.
If we’re going to seriously address waiting times, meet patient access targets, and stem the flow of doctors out of primary care, then surely one of the first priorities would be to stop kicking thousands of UK-qualified GPs out of the country every year?
We’ve taken a deeper dive into the topic and suggested some simple reforms in our latest article.
Why access targets don’t improve patient access
NHS England imposed a new contract on GPs in May, and PCN targets like ACC-08 are adding pressure. Among the rules and regulations is a new access requirement, which is seemingly designed to get patients seen sooner. Here’s why targets don’t improve patient access, and the real reason why some patients might not be getting the access they expect.
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Primary Care: Small changes for big impacts
With the new contract imposed, and the latest IIF target, the NHS is asking more of primary care and isn’t offering much help. However, some changes in approach could help patients get care more quickly and effectively, without putting extra strain on already struggling practices. There are approaches that could help more patients get seen, while actually reducing the strain on surgeries. Here are some suggestions that we hope the NHS will consider.
Read More: Primary Care: Small changes for big impacts
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