Government: NHS training places for UK students only
08-02-2008
Foreign medical students will no longer be able to apply to NHS training posts under new rules announced by the government.
Workers from Commonwealth countries such as Australia, India and Pakistan will not be able to move to the UK in the hope of finding an NHS training place.
To become effective in 2009, the decision was made by the government following mounting fears that there would not be enough trainee positions available for UK medical students.
Around half the applicants for training positions last year were foreign students.
Health secretary Alan Johnson reminded foreign doctors that these new procedures apply only to training positions.
"I cannot stress enough that we are not closing the door to international doctors working in the NHS," he stated.
Last year, the Department of Health noted that there would be increased competition between medical students in 2008, with an expected three applicants per training position.