The article explores the significant historical and present-day contributions of Indian healthcare professionals to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). It highlights the long-standing presence of Indian doctors and nurses in the UK’s healthcare system, discussing their struggles, successes, and impact. The article also touches upon the global presence of Indian medical professionals and the implications of their contributions.
Introduction
There has been a long history of Indian entrepreneurs settling in the United Kingdom. Indians have been migrating to the United Kingdom (UK) since the 1950s, either to aid in the country’s economic growth or, in the instance of Indians who suffered expulsion from Uganda, to find safety. They have grown to approximately 1.5 million persons, and have established themselves as one of the most successful and influential ethnic minorities in the UK today. One of the major sectors where the Indians have proven their grit is the British Healthcare System or the NHS.
A History to Behold
For more than a century, the healthcare industry in the United Kingdom has been staffed by medical professionals from the Indian subcontinent. Although entry to the Indian Medical Service (IMS) was first restricted to Europeans, Indians were eventually granted access in 1855 on the condition that they pass tests based in London and get registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). Many healthcare personnel who were brought in from other countries in the 1960s and 1970s experienced explicit racism and prejudice, which often resulted in repeated exam failures and stagnant careers. The TV series “The Indian Doctor” satirized the difficulties healthcare providers in rural areas of the UK confront. ‘Gandhian ideology’ of selfless devotion to mankind may have also impacted many doctors, explaining why so many medical professionals settled in economically depressed areas and became politically active there. With the eventual passage of time, foreign healthcare professionals dominated UK healthcare systems. Half of all UK doctors were born in either India or Pakistan, according to a 1979 report by the Royal Commission on the National Health Service (NHS 2). According to research published in 2005, as of 2003, 29% of NHS physicians were born outside of the UK, and as of 1999, 44% of NHS nurses who had been hired were also born abroad.
The Present Scenario of NHS
A report of 2022 revealed Indians to be the largest workforce only after the British in the NHS marking their undisputed contribution to the British healthcare system. A significant increase in the number of NHS employees identifying as Asian or African was also found in the research, covering the period between 2015 and 2017. Post-Covid there has been an increase from 4.1 percent to 7.2 percent of staff members identifying as Asian, and from 1.9 percent to 3.1 percent identifying as African. Meanwhile, the percentage of employees claiming EU citizenship dropped to 5.3%, while the percentage claiming UK citizenship dropped from 87.8% to 83.5%.
In June of 2022, 16% of doctors (or 21,650) reported being of Asian descent. Nearly two-thirds were of Indian or Pakistani descent, and forty different Asian countries were represented.
Dr. Julian Simpson, the author of, “Migrant Architects of the NHS: South Asian Doctors and the Reinvention of British General Practice”, while acknowledging India’s contribution said, “It’s important to also remember that the National Health Service was established to make healthcare accessible to those who could not afford it. And for millions of people particularly in working-class communities across Britain, accessing that care meant going to see a General Practitioner from Indian Subcontinent.” He went as far as calling Indian medical practitioners to be the lifeblood and architects of the NHS who have made themselves the cornerstone of British Healthcare system. UK is not the only country to be run by Indian healthcare professionals but as many as 60,000 Indian doctors work in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, making them the biggest émigré physician workforce in the world and accounting for 10 percent of all doctors in India.
Implications
Healthcare has been identified by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), which is responsible for enhancing the employability of the population, as a key area for job growth. U.S., U.K., German, Australian, Japanese, Swedish, and Singapore are among the nations the ministry had announced to send 300,000 physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to by the year 2022. Moreover, in the past nations like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Malta, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium have seen a significant increase in demand for Indian nurses as revealed by the Kerala government’s Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants (ODEPC), which reported sending 40 nurses monthly to these countries.
The government’s consistent focus on providing healthcare workers to the world and the demand for Indian doctors and nurses have constantly ensured an easy passage for students to pursue their MBBS and Nursing degrees abroad. Not only it provides ample job opportunities in India but enables students to work in various other countries as healthcare professionals. Admissify has been constantly engaging with the commitment of the Indian government to meet global medical needs by helping students achieve their dream of working as international Healthcare Professionals. You may contact us in our journey to help you realize your dream and to be a part of global healthcare access.
FAQs
Can an Indian work in NHS UK?
Indians have a demonstrated history of working at the NHS and you can apply for NHS as an Indian. Part one of this procedure involves taking a multiple-choice test via computer from the comfort of your home (known as a “Computer-Based Test,” or “CBT”). Within two years of passing your CBT, you must submit your application for UK registration, which includes taking and passing an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
How can an Indian doctor work in the UK?
The GMC is responsible for registering doctors to practice medicine in the UK, regulating doctors, and ensuring good medical practice. GMC registration is mandatory for those who wish to provide direct patient care.
Which medical courses are in demand abroad?
Medical courses that are in demand abroad are MBBS, BDS, BPharm, BSc Nursing, BSc Optometry, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Orthoptics, BSc in Clinical Research, BSc in Emergency Medical Technology, BSc in Radiology, BSc in Audiology, and so on.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
