Since it started in 2019, the Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor Project (LRDP) has seen over 60 doctors from countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine, sign up for its holistic training programme.
With one of the highest recruitment needs in the country according to the Quality Care Commission, programme members will be able to bolster the Lincolnshire NHS staff at a time when doctors are needed more than ever.
Carol Hornsey is responsible for recruitment at LRDP. She said: “one of the goals of the project is that we can help the local economy with filling their posts. For the refugees themselves it’s an opportunity that we need to embrace in terms of valuing their expertise in the NHS, but also for individuals it gets them back into work in a profession they love”.
Dr Hassan, 38, a doctor from Syria said that despite having to leave his home he has a lot to offer. “People like me are forced to be refugees, but we have a very good background and expertise in medicine”.
Dr Mohammed, 45, another doctor from Syria added: “the UK here is in lack of doctors, especially specialised doctors. It’s my life, my career. I must do operations. I must study. I don’t like not working at all and I want to help”.
Recent years, especially since the war in Ukraine, have seen increasing numbers of people coming to the UK. LRDP are seeing the mutually beneficial outcomes which can be achieved through a programme such as this.
