AAGBI POSITION Statement

Association of Anaesthetists' position statement on on new immigration rules

9th April 2006

The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland (AAGBI) notes with concern the abolition of the immigration category of Permit Free Training. This category has allowed many able foreign graduates to come to the UK and obtain postgraduate experience and training, which is of value to them individually and also to the service in which they have worked. Although recognising the need to limit the influx of doctors from overseas, and the importance of not raising unrealistic hopes and aspirations in those who wish to come, the AAGBI does not feel that this change in regulation has been introduced in a manner that shows proper consideration for those who are already working in the NHS. These doctors have made very considerable personal and financial sacrifices in order to obtain a post here in a competitive job market.

The changes will cause a profound change in attitude amongst those who are already here. Even those who have the right to remain may quite reasonably feel that they are members of a group who are no longer needed or wanted. The AAGBI believes that it is wrong to imply any such attitude.

The AAGBI is always anxious to ensure that the specialty and its professional members are not treated any differently from other specialties, and it is currently seeking opinion on whether these new regulations will have a different impact on our specialty when compared to others.

As this is a matter that affects all doctors, it is (and has) been strongly addressed by the British Medical Association (BMA), and the AAGBI will do all it can to support the BMA in addressing this issue. The Anaesthetic Subcommittee of the CCSC of the BMA is chaired by a member of our Council , and several Council members serve on that committee. Once the AAGBI has a clear view of the effect that this will have on the specialty, we will raise this with the Chief Medical Officer and officials in the Departments of Health. In addition, we will make representations to these individuals that regardless of the overall effect of this on the NHS workforce and the delivery of the service, there are very clear humanitarian issues involved in how we treat individuals who have already started training in the UK .

W A Chambers
Honorary Secretary, AAGBI

For information please contact Claire Elliott, Communications Officer, 020 7631 8817, press@aagbi.org