Trust orders external review into medical training ‘concerns’

University Hospitals Birmingham has ordered an independent review into a major international medical training programme, after concerns the scheme may be routinely underpaying overseas doctors.

The foundation trust confirmed to HSJ it was “now in the process of commissioning an independent review” into its three international medical training programmes. A spokesman said the decision to order an external review had been sparked by an earlier internal review of its medical training, which itself followed “concerns raised by clinical and non-clinical colleagues”.

And a bulletin sent to UHB staff today from chief medical officer Kiran Patel, seen by HSJ, said “pay parity” issues had come to light through the internal reviews. It follows previous reports that overseas doctors were being paid substantially less than domestic peers working at a comparable level.

Details about who will carry out the external review, how long it will take, and the terms of reference are yet to be confirmed.

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Source: HSJ, 9 January 2025