Medical Training Initiative (MTI) Guide launched at NHS Employers Conference

Distributed: 3rd November 2009

Skills for Health – Workforce Projects Team has launched the new Medical Training Initiative (MTI) Guide at the NHS Employers Conference in Birmingham today.

Designed to allow overseas doctors to undertake up to two years training in the UK, the MTI is already assisting NHS employers and fostering exchange programmes with overseas health service organisations.

Sue Dean, director, Skills for Health – Workforce Projects Team comments: “the MTI scheme will help with NHS recruitment and further enhance our international reputation for high quality training.”

The guide, produced in association with NHS Employers, the Medical Royal Colleges and NHS Professionals provides step by step guidance for trusts and overseas doctors on MTI placements and contains case studies and useful contact information.

David Grantham, head of programmes, NHS Employers said: “This guide will be helpful in raising awareness of the MTI and the benefits it can bring for the NHS and international development. NHS Employers will continue to support development of the MTI together with partner organisations”.

Several Royal Colleges have established MTI schemes that increase NHS medical capacity to benefit patients and the doctors return home with increased skills and experience at the end of their placements.

Ric Warren, honorary secretary, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: “The College warmly welcomes the opportunities of the MTI which offers an attractive combination of enhancing the training of IMGs, improving the safety and quality of global medical care, whilst benefiting the NHS by providing well qualified doctors to fixed term appointments.”

Dr Peter Trewby, Associate International Director, Royal College of Physicians, said:

“The MTI is an excellent way to bring doctors into the UK for up to 24 months of clinical training. This guide lays out clearly how the MTI works and will be an invaluable tool for those in NHS trusts across the UK who are looking to host international medical graduates.

Through safeguards in the MTI arrangements, we are able to ensure that an International Medical Graduate coming for training receives a good experience, contributing positively to the NHS while learning new skills, but also does not contribute to the brain drain from countries who can ill afford to loose their doctors.”

The MTI operates under Tier five of the points based immigration system. Further information on the MTI and the full guide can be downloaded via the healthcare workforce portal: www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/mti