The abolition of the Medical Training Initiative (MTI) scheme risks reversing years of progress in medical diplomacy and repeating past mistakes in how the UK treats international medical graduates (IMGs).
The MTI scheme allowed suitably qualified doctors to come to the UK for a maximum of two years before returning to their home countries. It was introduced following lobbying by medical royal colleges.
Dr Peter Trewby, a retired consultant physician and former director for international medical graduates at the Royal College of Physicians, stated that the scheme benefited the UK, the NHS, international graduates, and UK trainees. He added that it also served as an effective example of UK soft power.
According to Dr Trewby, abolishing the scheme removes a successful route for international collaboration, including education and research. He also suggested it risks signalling that nationality takes precedence over merit.