LONDON: Indian medical graduates, who want to come to Britain for training or employment, should have work permit under new immigration rules for doctors from non-European countries, to be introduced in July.

Those already here and do not have a work permit will have to return home and apply again. However, work permit will be given against specific vacancies for which suitable "home-grown'' doctors are not available.

The move has sparked criticism not only from overseas doctors but also from British medical experts. It is termed a blow to "meritocracy," as hospitals would have to give preference to "sons-of-the soil" over better qualified foreign applicants.

The decision to scrap the traditional permit-free training arrangement for international doctors is intended to give more opportunities to local doctors and those from the European Union (EU) countries. Under the new rules, hospitals will have to show that they are not able to find suitable local candidates. Overseas doctors from non-EU countries will be offered jobs only in sectors where there is a "genuine skills shortage."

However, non-EU nationals who have trained in a U.K. medical school will be exempt for two years to enable them to qualify to register with the General Medical Council.

Health Minister Lord Warner justified the changes, citing growing competition for medical jobs in the National Health Service (NHS).

"Therefore, to ensure that we are only recruiting doctors to the U.K. where we have a genuine skills shortage NHS Trusts will be required to get a work permit for every doctor that they wish to employ from outside the EU. In future, International Medical Graduates who wish to work or train in the NHS will need a work permit. To obtain one, an employer must show that a genuine vacancy exists, which cannot be filled with a resident worker," he said.

Lord Warner said the Government recognised the "huge" contribution made by foreign doctors to the NHS.

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