NHS England leaves refugee doctor scheme in limbo as funding runs out

NHS England has allowed the funding for the medical support worker (MSW) scheme—which has enabled hundreds of refugee doctors to join the NHS—to expire, leaving doctors across the country in limbo as the future of the scheme is decided.The funding for the scheme ran until the end of March 2023, and a decision for the next financial year has not yet been made. A spokesperson for NHS England told The BMJ that “business planning activities for 2023-24” are still being finalised and “decisions on future funding are likely to be confirmed in the coming months.”The current lack of funding has forced trusts to end MSW contracts for many refugee doctors, and comes despite the fact that refugee organisations and doctors have praised the scheme for its “profound impact” and as a success for all involved. The scheme has enabled doctors who are often escaping persecution to restart their lives and…
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