Court Ruling implications BMJ

Court ruling-a breather for overseas doctors
17 November 2007

This court ruling that declared the immigration changes for IMGs(International Medical Graduates) as unlawful is finally a welcome news for overseas doctors. It is not only the court but the executive branch of United kingdom in form of a parliamentary committee, that had also criticized these changes
It seems IMGs have become the scapegoat in the whole MTAS fiasco.Suddenly, the health ministry realized that they have not got enough posts for overseas qualified graduates.Hence, solution was to change immigration rules.As a results, thousands had to go back without any qualifications and in serious financial debt.Those left had to either opt for a career change or accept non-training posts.
Then comes the Tooke inquiry which has not only belittled IMG's contribution to NHS especially when it was in crisis but this inquiry also fails to address the current situation. Thanks to BAPIO that many of IMGs were able to secure training jobs for this year and this court ruling has given a lot of credibility to BAPIO as a representative organization for IMGs who have been generally disappointed by BMA's lip service statements.
Though the court ruling may be justice delayed as many of affected IMGs have left this country, many with their families uprooted, It is certainly a symbolic victory. I sincerely hope that Department of health embarks on properly thought and planned changes in immigration rules rather than a knee jerk reaction.
It should also be a lesson to all of the IMGs to forget regional differences and unite under one umbrella organization.
Competing interests: I am an overseas qualified doctor