More refugees to aid NHS

Refugee nurses and pharmacists are to be encouraged to fill vital NHS vacancies.

Since 2000, a programme has been running in the west of Scotland to ensure that asylum-seekers with medical skills can work as doctors within the NHS. Now the scheme is to be extended to include other healthcare workers.

The refugee doctors programme, which is run by NHS Education for Scotland, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Refugee Council, provides practical support for refugee doctors and dentists.

Now a symposium to be held at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow tomorrow will suggest extending the scheme to include other NHS positions.

Geoffrey Orr, associate dean in Glasgow University's department of postgraduate medicine, which covers the west of Scotland, said: "What has been achieved for refugee doctors now needs to be provided for other healthcare workers. The symposium will focus on this."

Health minister Malcolm Chisholm, who will address the symposium, added: "Refugee health professionals have the potential to make a great contribution to the NHS - to complement and enhance the service."

The initiative was yesterday welcomed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland. A spokeswoman said: "It is vital that these nurses have the skills and qualifications required, but there is a huge amount of nursing vacancies in Scotland and it is important they are filled."

There are currently 1869 nursing vacancies in Scotland.

The refugee doctors programme began in November 2000. So far 64 doctors and dentists have enrolled. The scheme helps doctors learn English to the standard required by the General Medical Council and to prepare for medical exams. It also advises them of job vacancies.

Copyright 2002 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
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