UK will still attract overseas doctors despite ending free movement, government insists

The government has insisted that it will continue to attract doctors from overseas despite publishing legislation to end free movement of people following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The Immigration Bill1 introduced on 5 March will pave the way for the biggest shake-up of the UK’s immigration system for decades, creating a new points based system from 1 January 2021 that grants visas based on people’s skills, qualifications, salaries, and profession.

In November last year the Conservative Party pledged to introduce a special NHS visa to ease fears that the health service would struggle to recruit medical staff under the new system.2 Workers applying for NHS posts will pay half the normal visa fee (£464 (€534; $605) rather than £928), and their applications will be fast tracked and treated more favourably.

In a statement to The BMJ, Home Office minister for future borders and immigration Kevin Foster said, “Our firmer and fairer system will bring in the high skilled workers the UK needs to remain at the forefront of innovation and strengthen our economy.

“We are creating a fast track NHS visa which will prioritise medical professionals with NHS job offers. To ensure their experience coming to the UK is streamlined, we are reducing their visa fees and providing support for them to move here with their families.”

The Home Office also has a dedicated team to assist NHS workers through the visa application process, Foster said.

He added, “Whether it’s through attracting talent from overseas or investing in and training more nurses, doctors, and public health professionals, we are committed to levelling up the NHS right across the country, ensuring it is a health service fit for the future.”

But some experts have warned3 that the new system will block migrant workers for lower skilled roles, which could harm the care sector and affect non-medical NHS staff.

Terry John, chair of the BMA international committee chair, said, “When the NHS is suffering intense workforce shortages, it is nigh-on impossible to see how the government can argue that ending the free movement of healthcare staff is a positive move for the health service.

“The NHS relies on a wide range of staff, including porters, cleaners, and care workers, and nearly all of these wishing to come from overseas to make valuable contributions will be shut out by new rules.”

John added, “While ministers talk about fast track visas and reduced fees, they are increasing the immigration health surcharge, which sits completely at odds with the message that they want to encourage talented medical staff to come to the UK. This charge penalises overseas healthcare workers by charging them to use the service they are contributing to.”

The government has said that the new system will not prevent senior care workers who meet the criteria from coming to the UK, and has also launched a national recruitment campaign to attract more homegrown staff into social care roles.