United Kingdom Assosciation of International doctors
United Kingdom Assosciation of International doctors
An Open letter to the Prime Minister.Dear Mr Blair, You have always stated that you believe in a merit based andcolour-blind polity and we believed you when you say that. As thepresident of a newly formed organization UKAID (united Kingdomassociation of international doctors) however I would like to bringto your kind attention a number of areas of concern to ourmembership. Since these issues touch open the areas of a number ofyour colleagues I believe it would be appropriate for me to bringthis to your kind attention. A number of reports including the Kings foundation and the BMAinternational committee have previously expressed disquiet at the wayethnic minority and International doctors are treated in the NHS.Weare aware of the equality and diversity policy. Our concern is thatthis has not resulted in the kind of colour-blind policy at the frontline. We are concerned about a number of areas.Recent changes in the work permit system; Introduce by the Honsecretary Clark,this came as a bolt from the blue for our membership. A number ofdoctors from India and other countries have taken the exams conductedby the GMC in good faith. At one time these exams were conducted allover the world creating the impression that there were a hugeshortage of doctors in the UK.The plan is to continue with the examswhile stating there is very little prospect for jobs. Noconsideration was given to the impact of several hundreds who havealready passed the exam and are living in squalor in East ham andother places. We are not aware of any consultations before such adrastic change in policy was iontroduced. We believe in your sense offairness and plead with you to postpone execution of this policy tillit is properly debated and care is taken of doctors in transition.International doctors have made a valuable contribution to the healthcare of this country and we believe such isolationist approach mayalso keep away people of merit thus having an impact on patient care.Non-representation in Higher echelons, Discrimination in awards etc:We find that higher position in the NHS including at the trust board,CEO, medical director and clinical director level have scantrepresentation from ethnic minority and international doctors. Thishas led to a feeling of alleniation. This is particularly glaring inplaces like Leicester with a huge ethnic minority population.Positive discrimination may be difficult in a merit-based system .Ourargument is that there are more than sufficient candidates of meritwho are easily appointable. They may not fit into the mould but aremore than capable of doing the job. We would also plead that anindependent body look at the Clinical Excellence and other awards. Ascertain groups dominate most professional organizations it would bewelcome to have some independent thoughts.High representation in Disciplinary actions:Those who raise such points often are subtly marginalized. We havebeen concerned about the equality in treatment at various panels etc.The regulatory bodies themselves have been concerned about suchdisparity. There is a perception of inequality in such treatment.Belief in the NHS: Most of us have worked very hard to improve thefunctioning of the NHS but often feel alienated from the hierarchy,which controls its affairs. I myself came from India via the USA andhave worked day and night in restoring the confidence of our patientsafter the Epilepsy review in Leicester. We have a lot to offer. Werequest for an opportunity to serve the people of UK with dignity andequality. We request you to look at these areas. We are willing tomeet up with anybody in improving our understanding. We do not thinkthe traditional organizations including EMD organizations representall our viewpoints.Regards and best wishes in improving the functioning of the NationalHealth Service Yours sincerely Dr Jayaprakash A Gosalakkal
An Open letter to the Prime Minister.Dear Mr Blair, You have always stated that you believe in a merit based andcolour-blind polity and we believed you when you say that. As thepresident of a newly formed organization UKAID (united Kingdomassociation of international doctors) however I would like to bringto your kind attention a number of areas of concern to ourmembership. Since these issues touch open the areas of a number ofyour colleagues I believe it would be appropriate for me to bringthis to your kind attention. A number of reports including the Kings foundation and the BMAinternational committee have previously expressed disquiet at the wayethnic minority and International doctors are treated in the NHS.Weare aware of the equality and diversity policy. Our concern is thatthis has not resulted in the kind of colour-blind policy at the frontline. We are concerned about a number of areas.Recent changes in the work permit system; Introduce by the Honsecretary Clark,this came as a bolt from the blue for our membership. A number ofdoctors from India and other countries have taken the exams conductedby the GMC in good faith. At one time these exams were conducted allover the world creating the impression that there were a hugeshortage of doctors in the UK.The plan is to continue with the examswhile stating there is very little prospect for jobs. Noconsideration was given to the impact of several hundreds who havealready passed the exam and are living in squalor in East ham andother places. We are not aware of any consultations before such adrastic change in policy was iontroduced. We believe in your sense offairness and plead with you to postpone execution of this policy tillit is properly debated and care is taken of doctors in transition.International doctors have made a valuable contribution to the healthcare of this country and we believe such isolationist approach mayalso keep away people of merit thus having an impact on patient care.Non-representation in Higher echelons, Discrimination in awards etc:We find that higher position in the NHS including at the trust board,CEO, medical director and clinical director level have scantrepresentation from ethnic minority and international doctors. Thishas led to a feeling of alleniation. This is particularly glaring inplaces like Leicester with a huge ethnic minority population.Positive discrimination may be difficult in a merit-based system .Ourargument is that there are more than sufficient candidates of meritwho are easily appointable. They may not fit into the mould but aremore than capable of doing the job. We would also plead that anindependent body look at the Clinical Excellence and other awards. Ascertain groups dominate most professional organizations it would bewelcome to have some independent thoughts.High representation in Disciplinary actions:Those who raise such points often are subtly marginalized. We havebeen concerned about the equality in treatment at various panels etc.The regulatory bodies themselves have been concerned about suchdisparity. There is a perception of inequality in such treatment.Belief in the NHS: Most of us have worked very hard to improve thefunctioning of the NHS but often feel alienated from the hierarchy,which controls its affairs. I myself came from India via the USA andhave worked day and night in restoring the confidence of our patientsafter the Epilepsy review in Leicester. We have a lot to offer. Werequest for an opportunity to serve the people of UK with dignity andequality. We request you to look at these areas. We are willing tomeet up with anybody in improving our understanding. We do not thinkthe traditional organizations including EMD organizations representall our viewpoints.Regards and best wishes in improving the functioning of the NationalHealth Service Yours sincerely Dr Jayaprakash A Gosalakkal
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