Exodus of Indian Healthcare Professionals from the UK: Financial and Immigration Hurdles

Indian healthcare professionals are leaving the UK due to financial and immigration pressures. Despite the UK's rich history in healthcare, Indian professionals are drawn to countries like Australia and Canada for better pay and living standards. Policy changes and local competition further challenge their prospects in the UK.

India and the UK have long shared a deep connection through healthcare, rooted in colonial history. However, many Indian medical professionals are now choosing to leave the UK, driven by financial and immigration hurdles that make long-term careers in the National Health Service (NHS) less appealing.

Interviews with Indian-origin NHS doctors reveal that the financial pressures and stringent immigration policies outweigh the satisfaction of clinical work in the UK. Visas for Indian health workers dropped significantly, with many choosing destinations like Australia and Canada offering better compensation and career pathways.

The shift is compounded by a shortage of training positions and rising competition from locally trained doctors. Financial strains, high taxes, and a shift towards reducing temporary staffing further exacerbate the situation, pushing Indian healthcare professionals to seek better opportunities abroad.

(With inputs from agencies.)