A joint letter to The Guardian from the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Surgeons stating why we must support all NHS staff
Value and support NHS staff wherever they are from
The government, the NHS and the public need to value and support all NHS staff, wherever they are from. While the recent announcement by the secretary of state of 1500 extra medical school places is welcome, as over a quarter of current NHS doctors are from overseas, the extra places will not in themselves produce a self-sufficient UK medical workforce and we will still need our overseas doctors. The announcement has led to our colleagues from overseas feeling that they may not be as valued as UK doctors and is affecting morale – we cannot let this happen.
Currently a quarter of NHS doctors are from overseas, and the NHS has benefitted from their talents, abilities and will to work with us in the UK – we must continue to support them, despite the insecurity caused by the Brexit situation, and reassure them that they are valued and needed.
Diseases know no country borders, and medicine has therefore developed as an international profession, with global cooperation in research, drug development, standards of patient care, and free movement of doctors around the world. This model has served the UK and the NHS well for decades – moving away from that model is a major risk to the success of the NHS.
Yours faithfully
Professor Jane Dacre, president, Royal College of Physicians
Miss Clare Marx, president, Royal College of Surgeons