Medical colleges condemn scrapping of NHS placements for overseas doctors
The NHS has scrapped a scheme that allowed overseas doctors to work in UK hospitals, which was seen as an example of British soft power. The Medical Training Initiative brought 400-500 foreign-trained doctors to the UK every year, enabling them to enhance their skills before returning home. The decision has been met with criticism from senior doctors, who believe it will exacerbate the shortage of doctors in the NHS.
- ▪The Medical Training Initiative was scrapped by NHS England despite costing only £176,000 to fund each year.
- ▪The scheme had been in place since 2011 and had given thousands of overseas doctors the opportunity to work in the UK.
- ▪The decision to axe the scheme has been criticized by the UK's medical royal colleges, who believe it will harm the NHS and international healthcare development.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — UK |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jul/31/medical-colleges-condemn-scrapping-of-nhs-placements-for-overseas-doctors |
| Publication time | Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:06 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-31T06:12:46.377Z |
| Last seen | 2026-07-31T06:12:46.377Z |
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The Medical Training Initiative has brought 400-500 foreign-trained doctors to work in Britain every year. Photograph: Ian Miles/Flashpoint Pictures/AlamyView image in fullscreenThe Medical Training Initiative has brought 400-500 foreign-trained doctors to work in Britain every year. Photograph: Ian Miles/Flashpoint Pictures/AlamyDoctorsMedical colleges condemn scrapping of NHS placements for overseas doctorsScheme brought in up to 500 foreign-trained doctors a year and was seen as example of British ‘soft power’Denis Campbell Health policy editorFri 31 Jul 2026 02.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe NHS has scrapped a longstanding scheme that let overseas doctors boost their skills in UK hospitals and was seen as an example of British “soft power”.Senior doctors have criticised…
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