photo credit: Times now
The UK has long been a preferred destination for Indian doctors and nurses, with the National Health Service offering stable careers and professional recognition.
The Times of India reports that the appeal is now fading, aa rising costs, tighter immigration rules and limited job security push many Indian healthcare professionals to leave the country.
Senior doctors of Indian origin currently working within the National Health Service (NHS) told PTI that departures are rising not because of dissatisfaction with medical practice but by financial strain, restrictive immigration policies and decreasing career security.
This trend is also highlighted in the official data shared by the government during the winter session of Parliament which showed that the number of Health and Care Worker visas issued tro Indian nationals has dropped by about 67%. At the same time, visas for Indian nurses have fallen by nearly 79%.
Pay, taxation and living costs continue to weigh heavily on decisions. An NHS consultant in the highest pay band pays an additional 45% income tax, along with 2% National insurance contributions. Doctors earning 65,191 pounds and above also contribute around 12.5% of their pensionable pay to the NHS pension scheme. The pressure is even more acute for trainees and recently qualified doctors.
Radiologist Sanjay Gandhi, who works within the NHS in south-east England says, government policy has become a major factor pushing Indian professionals away. Successive UK governments, regardless of political leadership, have pledged to reduce net migration, he said.
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