PLANS BY the Home Office to introduce compulsory work permits for training posts in the UK for doctors outwith the EU could have “serious implications” for NHS services in Scotland, according to Dundee East MSP Shona Robison.

The measure could result in Scotland losing 13% of its medical workforce, she said.

Many organisations, including the General Medical Council (GMC) are worried that the new Home Office points-based migration system will have a detrimental impact on number of international medical graduates (IMGs) who are already in the UK, and have invested thousands of pounds to come to the UK and want to become part of the NHS workforce. Previously, training posts had not required work permits.

The new rules, announced by the UK Government last month, would require every doctor from outside the EU to have a work permit.

They would only receive one if a hospital could prove that no applicant from the UK or the EU could fill the vacancy.

It is estimated that up to 15,000 doctors, mostly from the Indian subcontinent, are working in British hospitals while training to become specialists.

Ms Robison, the SNP health spokeswoman, has written to Health Minister Andy Kerr on the issue.

Ms Robison said, “I am very worried about the possible consequences and impact that this new ruling could have on the NHS in Scotland.

“It is also of concern the apparent speed in which this new ruling has been implemented without adequate consultation.

“I want to know if Andy Kerr has made representations to the Government in Westminster about this new situation that thousands of trainees are now finding themselves in.

“The General Medical Council have told me that 13% of the Scottish medical workforce is non-UK qualified which includes trainees who contribute much to the health service here.

“This could have serious implications for our NHS which is crying out for new recruits in order to sustain services across Scotland.

“We need the health minister to assure us that the Labour and Lib Dem Government has considered the possible impact of these changes in Scotland and has raised any concerns with the Home Office.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said there would not be a shortfall in doctors working in the NHS because there was already great competition for available vacancies.

“This is about bringing the immigration arrangements for doctors in line with those for other workers seeking entry to the UK,” said the spokeswoman.

“Changes to the way Scottish medical graduates are trained, combined with greater competition for posts in other parts of the UK, means more young doctors are expected to stay in Scotland. It’s expected that this will reduce the need for international recruits over time.”

The SNP MP for Dundee East, Stewart Hosie, has written to Home Secretary Charles Clarke to demand answers concerning the new UK work permit requirements.

“This change is one which will be deeply worrying to those doctors who are already in the UK,” he said.

“It seems remarkable that at a time when the Scottish NHS is desperate to recruit suitably qualified staff and the Scottish Executive is equally anxious to reverse Scotland’s skills shortages through Fresh Talent, the Home Office should have chosen to throw a spanner in the works in this way.”