Background

Refugee doctors have specific educational needs that are different to other International Medical Graduates (IMGs). IMGs have chosen to come to the UK, and usually have community or family networks. In planning their careers they have shorter career breaks out of medicine, and do not have the social and/or psychological issues involved in an enforced flight from one’s own country.

The London Deanery has been involved for many years in projects for refugee doctors, aimed at helping refugee doctors back to a career in clinical practice.  All refugee doctors must have passed PLAB 2 and be job ready to participate in the programmes.

The various projects have been:

1. Clinical Experience Scheme 2003-2007: 200 doctors in 3 month clinical attachments

2. PRIME posts: 60+ doctors in 6 month supernumerary SHO posts.

From Projects 1 and 2 over 50% of the participating doctors were appointed into stand alone SHO posts, training schemes and as staff grade doctors. One doctor is in the final year of SpR training.

3. Supernumerary GP Vocational training Schemes: 40 refugee doctors gained 3 year GP training schemes. 37 of these doctors are now working as GPs.

4. Foundation Projects: Since the re-organisation of medical training in August 2006, 37 refugee doctors have taken part in Foundation projects.

5. CAPS: 38 refugee doctors have taken part in the Clinical Apprenticeship Placement Scheme since October 2008.

Overall, these projects have had great success in helping refugee doctors back into medical employment.