We're seeing worrying variation in who treats patients, across different NHS trusts.
In some areas, patients can be confident they will be treated by a doctor or nurse when needed. But in others it may be a less qualified member of staff.
This kind of unsafe care is not acceptable and must end immediately. https://t.co/x63KMoUdP2
What fresh hell is this?!
A job advert for a haematology PA - with NO medical degree in a specialty with some of the sickest patients to:
🚩review unwell pts
🚩 LEAD ward rounds
🚩procedures including paracentesis, lumbar punctures & bone marrow sampling
🚩discharge patients
Been away for a few days from the world of Medical Politics
Let me try to summarise:
1. @TheBMA sacrificed IMGs as a policy choice and ensured local grads got jobs.
738 IMGs were put on a reserve list without any forewarning
Most shrugged their shoulders as "tough but isnt life that. Plus foreigners-meh"
Reddit accounts said IMGs were useless- in fact- absolutely useless.
2. @wesstreeting hoped this would help with negotiations
Didn't- BMA called strikes
IMGs are wondering 'why strike' if no jobs anyway
BMA then said 'all doctors are equal' and IMGs should support strikes.
Mr. Streeting then said 'No more new training posts'
IMGs in the LED posts-which were due to be converted- now don't know whether they have had a termination of contract or not.
@NHSEngland nearly admitted LEDs were better value as didnt need training and thus less costly
3. In the interim, problems surfaced about ANP/ACP regards patient safety-similar to PAs
And @gmcuk said 'Anyone can be a specialist' and continued their march to be a super-regulator.
4. The Royal Colleges continued cosplaying as ostriches. To an art form.
And the circle of life continued.
What have I missed?
Ah- sorry- I nearly forgot
5. GPs- via @BMA_GP pretty much did a no-confidence vote in their national leaders in @NHSEngland
Just a few days in the madness of the #NHS
(NB: No criticism of anyone here- just a narrative. Before anyone jumps in with angst & anger)
It's extremely disappointing to see @wesstreeting retweeting & endorsing this without any commentary on WHY overseas trained doctors are 2.5 times more likely to get referred to the GMC. He's clearly uninformed about the GMC's own research into the huge role played by racism.
Words matter.
The aim of the legislation for UK Graduate Prioritisation is to reduce competition ratios.
When public commentary fuels division, it harms the very workforce our health system relies on.
Skill, professionalism and patient care - not nationality or place of qualification - are what make a great doctor.
Respect should never be optional. We expect more from our politicians.
@wesstreeting If you knew the basics about the NHS workforce, you’d know that the reason for GMC referrals of IMGs is strongly linked to systemic racism rather than IMGs being “less talented”. It’s multifactorial and you owe a lot of the survival of the NHS to IMGs - 40% of your dr workforce
The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act was absolutely the correct policy
However, perpetuating the narrative that IMGs are lower quality is wrong and even more concerning, Wes has just given that same racist regulator more powers, despite previous commitments to remove powers
Katie’s right.
This is absolutely mad.
Guess who created this mess? The Conservatives.
Guess which Government has just passed emergency legislation to clean up this mess: Labour.
Don’t worry, Katie. Lots done, lots more to do.
A lack of training posts has led to spiralling competition ratios and a jobs crisis in the NHS. Something had to change.
This emergency legislation for UK Graduate Prioritisation, is about restoring fairness, valuing NHS experience, and giving doctors hope again.
@DocShivSharma, Deputy Chair UK Resident Doctor Committee, explains this win.
@parthaskar@Xeon4f145d96s1 I think there is a significant level of callousness regarding how IMGs in the system are being treated, and I think they should not have the rug pulled from under them.
Priority could have been given while also adhering to principles of fairness and recognition that people have
Been away from local medical politics for a few days.
Is the @TheBMA position now official that IMGs need to have 5 years work in the #NHS before eligibility to a training post?
Is that the same for @RCPhysicians@gmcuk and importantly @NHSE_WTE@DHSCgovuk ?
And if so, will there be work to focus and improve LED posts which are populated by IMGs? Or are these to be filled by local graduates who don't get training posts?
Will PLAB stop?
What exactly is the position of all the national organisations & their leadership?
I see 'everyone values IMGs' -what is it that you are valuing them for?
To do the jobs in places and areas others won't?
So many questions, so few answers.
Absolute scenes everywhere.
And H/T @wesstreeting for an absolute blinder.
@iDrSunny@Sajay70@RaoMala
1/ The UKG vs IMG prioritisation debate is a depressing reminder that what mainstream politicians do matters. If we allow standards in communication and etiquette to slip, the public - including some doctor - will follow suit.
@sunshine222blue@Xeon4f145d96s1 Have you noticed any good things?
We actively try and find the deviations from the 'protocol' and 'guidances' (most with dubious rationale) rather than appreciating the hard work and intentions.
✨ Registrations Now Open – BAPIO Gala Dinner 2026! ✨
Join us at the BAPIO Paediatric Forum Gala Dinner during RCPCH 2026.
🌟 Network
🌟 Celebrate
🌟 Dine
Book Now:
https://t.co/8cgnu1Ib10
#BAPIO#GalaDinner#RCPCH2026#Paediatrics