Workforce issues
org.uk/patient-safety-investigations/the- impact-of-staff-fatigue-on-patient-safety/ investigation-report/
2. Unison April 2025. Accessed at: https://www.
unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2025/04/ too-few-nursing-staff-on-duty-to-provide- safe-nhs-care/
3. NHS England 2016 Agency Rules. Accessed at:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/reducing- expenditure-on-nhs-agency-staff-rules-and- price-caps/agency-rules-list-of-approved- framework-agreements-for-all-staff/
4. NHS Workforce Plan Factsheet 2023. Accessed at:
https://healthmedia.blog.gov. uk/2023/06/30/nhs-long-term-workforce- plan-fact-sheet/
5. Martin CA, Medisauskaite A, Gogoi M et al, Discrimination, feeling undervalued and healthcare workforce attrition: an analysis from the UK REACH Study. Lancet 2023; 402:845-8
6. Ibid 7. NHS England 2022 Patient Safety Incident Response Framework. Accessed at https://
www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/patient- safety-insight/incident-response-framework/
8. Medical Defence Union 2025. Doctors more sleep deprived now than after the pandemic. Accessed at
https://www.themdu.com/press- centre/press-releases/doctors-more-sleep- deprived-now-than-after-pandemic
9. Troth SL, 2024. Night staff fatigue. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants. Accessed at
https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/ abs/10.12968/bjha.2024.18.5.166
10. Ibid SCAN ME COMMENT with DR ELSYAD
Calls to retain overseas doctors
Dr. Elsayad, a Radiology Consultant, warns that the NHS faces disaster if efforts aren’t made to retain overseas doctors.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Brilliant doctors from around the world join the NHS, armed with years of experience and a passion for healing. Yet, within months, many find themselves struggling, not because of their clinical skills, but because of an invisible barrier no one prepared them for. The numbers don’t lie. In the past two years, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented surge
in overseas doctors joining the NHS. It’s a trend that’s been more dramatic than any other time in the last decade. On the surface, this looks like a win-win situation. The NHS gets the workforce it desperately needs, and talented doctors get to practice in one of the world’s most respected healthcare systems. But there’s a problem. A big one. While the NHS is quick to welcome these doctors, it’s painfully slow in providing the support they need to truly thrive. We’re talking about more than just clinical skills here. We’re talking about the unspoken rules, the cultural nuances, the complex web of relationships that make up the NHS ecosystem. I remember my first few months in the NHS like it was yesterday. The confusion, the isolation, the constant fear of making a cultural misstep - it was overwhelming. And I know I’m not alone. Countless overseas doctors face these same challenges every day. Think about it. You’re a highly skilled professional, yet suddenly you find yourself struggling with things as basic as understanding the subtle implications of a colleague’s comment or navigating the unwritten hierarchies within your department. It’s like being a fish out of water, except the water is an ocean of implicit knowledge that everyone else seems to have absorbed through osmosis. This lack of support isn’t just a personal issue - it has real, tangible consequences for patient care and the NHS as a whole. As it stands, 60% of doctors struck off the GMC register are overseas doctors, despite representing only 30% of the NHS workforce. That’s not just a number - it’s a clear sign that something is deeply wrong with how we’re integrating our international colleagues. So, what’s the solution? In my experience, both as an overseas doctor and now as a mentor, the answer is clear: we need a robust system of cultural mentorship and support. Imagine if every overseas doctor had a dedicated mentor from day one. Someone who could guide them through the labyrinth of NHS culture, help them decode the unspoken rules, and provide a safe space for questions and learning. The impact would be transformative. That’s why I founded the NHS Success Circle. We’re not just about providing information
- we’re about creating a support network that empowers overseas doctors to navigate the NHS safely and successfully. Our approach is hands-on, continuous, and tailored to the unique challenges these doctors face. The NHS is at a critical juncture and currently requires thousands more Drs to meet patient demand. To fulfil this demand, the healthcare sector can harness the incredible talent and diversity that overseas doctors bring to our healthcare system. But to do that, we need to step up and provide the support they deserve. For NHS leaders, it’s time to recognise that technical skills alone aren’t enough and that
To download the full report, scan the QR code, or visit:
https://www.hssib.org.uk/patient- safety-investigations/the-impact-of- staff-fatigue-on-patient-safety/ investigation-report/
investing in comprehensive cultural integration and mentorship programmes will not only enable you to attract more overseas professionals, but will ensure they are able to adhere to UK processes at a faster rate. Supporting overseas doctors isn’t just about being nice - it’s about ensuring better patient care and a more efficient healthcare system. By bridging the cultural gap and providing meaningful support, we can unleash the full
potential of our diverse workforce. And in doing so, we’ll create a stronger, more resilient NHS for everyone.
www.drmelsayad.com
18
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I June 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
