From talent to opportunity
In this blog, Kwaku Baryeh and Fahira Mulamehic, tell us more about work at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, its Clinical Attachment Training Programme, which supports internationally trained doctors to work in the NHS, and NHS England's Building Bridges programme which supports the refugee workforce.
Behind every workforce statistic is a skilled professional eager to contribute.
For many refugee doctors, the challenge is not clinical capability but gaining the NHS experience, networks and understanding needed to secure their first role. To address this challenge and support internationally trained doctors into employment, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust established its Clinical Attachment Training Programme (CATP). The programme combines a structured clinical attachment with tailored education sessions focused on developing the skills and knowledge needed to secure a role in the NHS.
According to the General Medical Council (GMC): "a clinical attachment allows an international medical graduate to gain an overview of medical processes and systems in the UK, specifically in the NHS, by observing a consultant in a relevant speciality at work."
Over the past few years, the trust has worked with Building Bridges, an NHS England-funded programme established in 2009 and delivered by the Refugee Council. In June this year, the trust offered 10 refugee doctors clinical attachment opportunities through its CATP.
Overseas-trained refugee doctors often face a range of barriers when restarting their medical careers in the UK, and Building Bridges helps them navigate these challenges. Using a trauma-informed approach, the programme provides specialist career guidance and short- and long-term action planning, as well as support to prepare for mandatory English language and professional exams. It also offers access to work placements and clinical attachments, employability and professional development training, financial assistance and pastoral care.
Through the collaboration with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, refugee doctors had the opportunity to step inside NHS hospitals, observe day-to-day clinical practice and gain valuable insights into NHS recruitment, applications and interviews. For many participants, this represents a significant milestone on the journey towards practising medicine in the UK. For employers, it demonstrates how partnerships can help unlock the skills and experience of refugee healthcare professionals while contributing to workforce supply.
“I gained valuable insights into daily ward care and the collaborative efforts of colleagues, registrars, and consultants in providing the best possible care.”
- a Building Bridges doctor.
Since its launch in 2022, the CATP has supported nearly 700 doctors, many of whom are refugees, with around one-third of participants progressing into NHS employment. This successful partnership highlights the important role NHS organisations can play in creating accessible pathways into the workforce for talented clinicians who are ready to contribute their skills and experience.
“Being involved in the CATP has been a truly rewarding experience. To play a small part in helping so many talented doctors, displaced through no fault of their own, get closer to returning to clinical practice is both humbling and immensely satisfying."
- Kwaku Baryeh
Looking ahead, Building Bridges has identified a further 12 refugee doctors for the next CATP cohort in September, and we look forward to continuing this successful collaboration.
Visit the Recruiting refugees hub to access guidance, resources and good practice examples for employers. You can also learn more about the support offered by the Building Bridges programme, which helps refugee health professionals overcome barriers to NHS employment and return to practice in the UK.
