Refugee medics gain insight into UK careers through GMC–Refugee Council partnership

Doctors who have come to the UK to escape war and persecution took a step towards rebuilding their medical careers in the UK on Saturday 25 April at an event hosted by the UK’s medical regulator.

The ‘Building Bridges’ event, organised by the Refugee Council and hosted by the General Medical Council (GMC) in London, brought together refugee doctors from across the world determined to restart their professional journeys and contribute their skills to the NHS.

The initiative aims to help break down barriers faced by refugee doctors, so they can make the most of their existing qualifications and experience, while developing further in the UK.

Like other international doctors with non-UK or EEA (European Economic Area) qualifications, doctors who are refugees must prove they possess the necessary English language and clinical skills before they are able to join the UK medical register and practise in the UK.

But refugee doctors face unique challenges, for example, they may have difficulty sending original documents as evidence of medical qualifications, as these may have been lost or destroyed in conflict.

The GMC works with organisations like the Refugee Council to support refugees through tailored advice on the application process.

Topics covered on the day ranged from practicalities such as joining the register and getting clinical experience, to adapting to a new culture and navigating the language and workings of the NHS.

‘Refugee doctors bring vital clinical expertise, resilience and adaptability to the UK at a time when the healthcare system continues to face workforce pressures.

‘But they face unique challenges in building their futures in the UK. By working with initiatives like Building Bridges, we want to help break down those barriers so that these talented, experienced doctors can contribute their much-needed skills to patient care.’

Fahira Mulamehic, Project Manager for Integration and Employment at Refugee Council, said:

‘At the Refugee Council, we are proud to support refugee doctors and other health professionals to find work in the NHS through our Building Bridges programme.

‘We know from our frontline services that highly skilled clinicians face significant barriers to returning to work, after escaping war and persecution in countries like Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine and others. This vital programme helps refugee medics improve their English and prepare for professional exams. We set them on the path to rebuilding their medical careers and their lives with events like today’s training, kindly hosted by the General Medical Council.

‘Their wealth of experience provides the NHS with incredible value: the total cost of retraining a refugee doctor is just a fraction of what it costs to train a new one. Our clients are keen to contribute their specialist skills to their new communities, and it’s wonderful to see them get back into healthcare roles.’

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