Indian doctors in UK move court against British govt's new ruling

London, May 30 (UNI) The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) has challenged the British government against its new ruling abolishing permit-free training for international medical graduates, alleging discrimination against non-EU medicos, mostly Indians, in recruitment for the National Health Service.

The association sent letters of intent to the Department of Health and Home office to give two weeks notice before filing the case in the High Court.

''The new rules, introduced by the Department of Health without adequate consultations, prevent National Health Service Trusts from recruiting junior doctors from outside the EU unless they can demonstrate that no UK/EU doctor is available to fill the post,'' said Dr Ramesh Mehta, president of BAPIO. He added that the association has also informed the Commission for Racial Equality that the Department of Health so far has shown no evidence that it has conducted a thorough Race Equality Impact Assessment required by the statute.

Over 500 doctors, mostly NRIs, had demonstrated in front of the Department of Health on April 21 but the government is yet to respond to their demands, the BAPIO said.

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