Vital surgeon training posts to be matched with international surgical trainees

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Pala Rajesh, Vice President of RCSEd, pictured at the initiative launch

A major new initiative has been launched, placing international surgical trainees into posts throughout the UK’s NHS Trusts and Boards – with the North West set to benefit.

Building on previous schemes that have now helped to match up more than 1,000 international medical graduates (IMGs), The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) has now launched the UK’s first International Postgraduate Deanery (IPD).

Over the past three years (2016-2018) the RCSEd has placed a total of 25 IMGs with roles in the North West alone – and it is hoped that the Deanery will boost this number further, providing vital training and much-needed personnel while boosting patient safety.

This will allow IMGs the opportunity to spend up to two years contributing towards patient care in the NHS, boosting training and development within the health service, with many trusts facing a challenging shortage of surgical staff against the demands of a growing and ageing population.

As the largest of the UK’s four surgical Colleges and a 26,000 strong membership across 100 countries worldwide, RCSEd will use its global span and local expertise to ensure the ideal candidates are paired with the most suitable roles, based throughout the country.

Stuart Clark, International Postgraduate Dean, Member of RCSEd Council, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon said: “I am excited to announce the launch of RCSEd's new International Postgraduate Deanery.

“The Deanery will offer Trusts the opportunity to provide high quality training to overseas doctors whilst utilising their skills and expertise within the NHS.

"RCSEd has over 25 years' experience of delivering similar programmes and we are keen to use this expertise to continue to deliver a world class service.”

RCSEd provides training, examinations and development to medical professionals and while headquartered in Edinburgh, the College has centres in Birmingham and Kuala Lumpur to serve growing UK and international memberships.

RCSEd are conscious of the considerable value that the exchange of global surgical knowledge brings to the NHS, and intend to use the IPD to advance this.

The Deanery will ensure that trainees are fully inducted to the NHS and UK practice, and equipped with the non-technical skills required to provide high quality patient care.

In turn, the College will support doctors towards achieving their training aims and ensure they are treated with the same fairness as their UK counterparts.

IMGs are an invaluable asset to the NHS, and it is essential that this value is recognised.

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