The High Commission of India and BAPIO came together to organise the first-ever high level discussion on aspects of Healthcare and collaboration between India and the UK.
The NHS is acknowledged as the greatest government provided healthcare system in the world, and this year it celebrated its 70th birthday. The NHS has a workforce of 1.5 million, with an estimated contribution of 100,000 staff of Indian heritage. Increasing demand on the NHS has led to many questions of the future direction and sustainability.
India on the other hand, prepares for large scale reform, with the imminent roll-out of what is being labelled ‘Modi-Care’. The Government Health Protection scheme will enable 100 million of the poorest and most vulnerable families’ access to health care, equivalent to £5,000 per year.
A collaborative approach to draw upon the strengths of both healthcare systems was recognised in a high level round-table discussion between leaders in the NHS, Royal Colleges, GMC, BMA and Healthcare industries.
Discussion was chaired by BAPIO President Dr Ramesh Mehta OBE, who has appointed Dr Dev Chauhan as Chair of the newly formed BAPIO Indo-UK Healthcare Policy Forum. Dr Chauhan is a British Indian doctor, specialising in the Care of the Elderly. He has been appointed to the prestigious role, working as the National Medical Directors Clinical Fellow, for NHS England and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. It was attended by key personalities from NHS such as Sir Prof Terence Stephenson GMC Chair, Prof Derek Bell, President of RCPE, Prof Russell Viner President o RCPCH, Prof Mayur Lakhani President of RCGP, Prof Iqbal Singh, First Indian on Queens Honours Selection Committee, Dr JS Bamrah, National Chair of BAPIO, Dr Adrian James, Registrar RCPsych, Prof Mala Rao, Medical Advisor for WRES, Dr Kailash Chand, Honorary Vice President of BMA, Dr Joydeep Grover - Medical Director of MDS, Valerie Vaughn Dick - COO RCGP and Prof Parag SInhal - BAPIO National Hon Secretary. It was also attended by MPs, Peers and community leaders including Lord Popat, Lord Suri, Keith Vaz, Rami Ranger, CB Patel and others.
The Forum aims to serve as a vehicle for implementing healthcare policies, shaping themes of debate between the two counties, identifying avenues for joint-research, encouraging bilateral training programmes for healthcare professionals as well as strengthening health infrastructure by way of two-way investments.
3 key objectives of the Forum outlined by Dr Dev Chauhan are: To work with both governments and Health Education England on the issue of workforce planning and the importance of a robust and effective recruitment mechanism, ensuring both nations benefit, the promotion of blood and organ donation in BAME communities, supporting the government on the ‘Opt out’ organ donation bill which will come into effect in 2020, collaborating with Indian government to adopt a similar initiative and recognising the need to support infrastructure for the elderly population.
Dr Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO said “With estimated 60,000 doctors of Indian origin and several thousand other healthcare workers including dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists working in the NHS; there is an excellent opportunity to develop collaboration to assist improving the Healthcare in the two countries. Both the countries have strengths and weaknesses. The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin with its membership of doctors with huge experience of working in both the countries are in enviable position to take an initiative to look in to healthcare polices of both the countries and provide guidance”.
Dr Dev Chauhan, Chair of the Forum commented “The next generation doctors of Indian origin, born and trained in the UK, have natural affinity for India. We are keen to strengthen collaboration between Indo-UK Healthcare to support Education, Training and long-term workforce planning. We are keen to take best UK practices to India but also learn from vast Indian experiences”
The Forum will function closely with High Commission of India in taking up issues of concern to Indians in general, and India in particular, through its channels.
High Commissioner Mr. Y. K. Sinha, in his address said that as this new forum comes up, we need to explore ways to nurture and foster this very special India-UK relationship. He emphasised the need to appreciate doctors and health professionals of Indian origin as influential members of the communities they live in, who can play a significant role in advising the government and promoting bilateral ties.
