The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has issued a statement designed to reassure doctors from other European Union (EU) nations working in the U.K. that they are welcome, valued, and an integral part of the community. The RCR has also called on its members to support all newcomers.
The statement acknowledges the widespread uncertainty, but makes no mention about whether the RCR plans to abandon its attempts to recruit radiologists from other EU countries. For the past two years, the RCR has hosted a special session at the ECR about the practical aspects of working in the U.K.
According to a recent census conducted by the RCR and due to be published later next month, approximately 9% of qualified radiologists in the U.K. (280/3,318) obtained their primary medical qualification elsewhere in the EU. Overall, 921 of the 3,318 radiologists obtained their primary medical qualification elsewhere in the world, mainly from southern Asia (450). These figures exclude trainees.
The full statement reads as follow:
The RCR recognizes the widespread uncertainty that now exists and the deep concerns that many have following the EU referendum result. Clinical radiologists and oncologists from other EU states who are working in the U.K. have already contacted the college to express this.In recent months, the RCR has been active in encouraging doctors from other EU nations to come and work in the U.K. to fill some of the many vacant NHS [National Health Service] consultant posts. At this time, we would like to express our profound gratitude to and admiration for the hundreds of international medical graduates who make a vital contribution to radiology and oncology services for patients in the U.K. You are welcome here, you are highly valued, and you are an integral part of our community.
All of us, wherever we trained, have a duty to welcome and support newcomers to our departments. The safety and future wellbeing of our patients depend on staff working together in a supportive culture. All of us have a responsibility to make sure that this is the case.
The RCR will continue to play the collaborative role it has always played with radiology and oncology organizations and their members around the world. We have so much to learn from each other.
Editor's note: We will post a further article on Wednesday about the impact of Brexit on imaging.
