RCP Global vice president, Dr Mumtaz Patel, attended a meeting with HRH The Prince of Wales, which explored the support that RCP Global and other royal colleges provide to refugees and asylum seekers who aim to continue working as healthcare professionals in the UK.
Recent conflicts around the world have seen an increasing number of asylum seekers and refugees entering the UK. This is leading to growing concerns regarding the level of support available to those who are health professionals and how they can be eased into employment.
Along with several other medical royal college representatives, Mumtaz was invited to share the support and mentorship currently provided by the RCP to those groups. In her discussions, Mumtaz highlighted the RCP Global medical training initiative (MTI) scheme that facilitates, mentors and supports international doctors coming to train in the UK. The scheme is the largest of all UK college programmes and allows international graduates to develop their clinical skills in a fast-paced and supportive UK hospital environment.
Mumtaz also spoke about the importance and effectiveness of the RCP Global networks. In particular, the successful work of the RCP Iraq network, which saw an eightfold increase in membership in just 1 year. The networks deliver a range of activities, including facilitating medical education and MTI training in their respective countries.
Speaking about the event, Mumtaz said, ‘I was delighted to be invited and enjoyed sharing insight into the ongoing work we are doing to support these vulnerable groups. It was humbling to have His Royal Highness commend our work and be keen to support our wider mentoring programmes in the future.’
Mumtaz continued to highlight RCP Global's work, including the support provided to members and fellows in Burma/Myanmar. In February 2022, to mark the first anniversary of the military coup in the country, a partnerships in solidarity event was held. The event supported healthcare workers in the country and colleagues from the diaspora.
Mumtaz added, ‘We discussed the Medical Support Worker Scheme for Refugee Doctors, which has the greatest number of doctors from Burma/Myanmar utilising the scheme. The support RCP Global provides to the Wales Asylum Seeker and Refugee Doctors group, which includes enhanced induction, support, and mentoring for international doctors, was also showcased’.
The meeting also shared the work and success of several other royal colleges. Together, we can now share areas of good practice and work together to continue supporting healthcare professionals as they enter and settle in the UK.
Find out more about RCP Global and the MTI scheme.
To contact RCP Global email global@rcp.ac.uk.