More doctors from outside Europe apply for roles in UK

A FEARED exodus of EU doctors as a result of Brexit is being eclipsed by greater numbers of medics from outside the EU applying to work in Britain, new figures reveal.

Data from the General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates the profession, shows that the number of EU doctors granted a licence to practise in the UK between January last year and May this year fell by eight per cent. However, the number of licences granted to doctors from outside Europe has increased by 17 per cent since the referendum in June last year.

The data from the medical watchdog reveals the situation among doctors does not reflect the drop in applications from EU nurses, which fell from 1,304 in July 2016 to 46 in April this year. The reduction in nursing applications has been partly attributed to more stringent language tests introduced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Charlie Massey, the chief executive of the GMC, told Health Service Journal: “According to our figures, the supply of EEA [European Economic Area] doctors remains relatively stable but we are of course closely monitoring the situation.

“Our figures show that, although there has been a slight decrease in the numbers of EU doctors applying to join the UK medical register since the referendum, we have also seen fewer EU doctors leaving the register over the same period and an increase in application from doctors from outside the EU.”

Many sectors of the NHS have difficulty recruiting sufficient staff, with figures indicating four million patients were left without GP cover last years because of a shortage of family doctors.

Last week the Government tasked the migration advisory committee with examining the impact of Brexit on the UK labour market and coming up with proposals for immigration policy after Britain leaves the union.

“Overseas doctors make a huge and vital contribution to health services across the UK,” said Mr Massey. “We want to continue attracting good overseas doctors in future, and ensure we do not create any unnecessary barriers that would stop them working here.”

Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, yesterday announced a recruitment drive for mental health doctors and nurses. He said the £1.3 billion drive would provide services seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and properly integrate mental and physical health services for the first time.