BMJ  2008;336:689 (29 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39527.366065.DB

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UK government makes it easier for health professionals to do voluntary work abroad

¹ London

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The UK government last week published its formal response to Nigel Crisp’s report on global health partnerships, which recommended improving coordination between medical professionals in the United Kingdom and poor countries and making access easier (BMJ 2007;334:329; doi: 10.1136/bmj.39126.379479.DB).

Many of Lord Crisp’s suggestions have been taken on board, with new money set aside to help with health links and a £13m (17m; $26m) fund to compensate public health workers who lose pension contributions when doing voluntary work abroad.

The public health minister, Dawn Primarolo, said, "Our health service workers who volunteer can really make a difference in developing countries. And there are huge gains for the UK health service. Staff who volunteer get unique opportunities to develop their skills—new skills which they can put to use in the NHS when they come home."

Lord Crisp said, "I am delighted that my report, Global Health Partnerships, . . . [Full text of this article]

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