DAUK’s Dr Ellen Welch talks about what the day meant, how it is to become an annual event and it’s main aims.

Read more here.

“The NHS could not function without its foreign born workers. Around 169,000 people, or 13% of the workforce was born outside of the UK.”

Radio 4 interviewed DAUK’s Dr Pushpo Hossain on NHS Overseas Workers Day last Friday:

Would you like to continue working in the nhs?

“I really love working for the NHS and I would like to call it my home. But unfortunately it is our fate as an international health care worker, we are on temporary visas and cannot obtain permanent residency…we have to be on temporary visas for five years before we can apply for the Indefinite Leave to Remain, which also comes with an exuberant fee of around £3000 per applicant.”

Will your salary be affected by this proposed 1% pay increase? 

“To be honest, it feels very, very insulting…for some of us [the 1% pay increase does not even cover] the £3000 that is required for the Indefinite Leave to Remain application. So how are we being recognized? How is this being fair to all these international health care workers…we have put our lives on the line and is this how they want to reward us?”

The Doctors’ Association UK are delighted to see that our lobbying for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK for frontline NHS staff has been recognised in Parliament. On the first Overseas NHS Workers Day, MPs Christine Jardine and Claudia Webbe tabled the motion.

That this House supports Overseas NHS Workers Day in recognition of the extraordinary contribution of all foreign nationals working tirelessly in the UK’s fight against Covid-19; applauds the efforts of the Doctors’ Association UK with support from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), British International Doctors Association (BIDA), Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA), Royal College of Surgeons and Unison for creating this awareness day to celebrate foreign nationals in all their roles within the NHS; notes the almost 200 different nationalities represented within the NHS; further notes that although the NHS is the UK’s biggest employer, there is still not enough staff to meet demand; believes that the most meaningful way to recognise the contributions of foreign nationals and secure staffing capacity is to grant indefinite leave to remain in the UK; and calls on the Government to grant indefinite leave to remain to all foreign nationals currently working in the health and social care sector, and to their families.

Hosted by The Doctors’ Association Dr Alex Vallakalil, we introduce four speakers to talk about the issues faced by our overseas colleagues

Over the years I’ve had several longish spells in hospital and quite a few visits to clinics. The NHS has mended my nose, picked me up off the road having been knocked down, knitted my pelvis together, taught me how to walk, spotted my auto-immune disease, stitched up hernias and, most recently, saved my life from Covid. My parents too, of course especially in their last years.

As I write this, I’m still seeing doctors and nurses every two weeks or so.In all this time, going back to the 1950s, I can remember time and time again, I have been looked after by doctors and nurses who were born overseas: Jamaica, Denmark, Brazil, Uganda, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Grenada, Ireland, Trinidad, China, Australia…apologies to people and places I’ve missed out – but I’m matching people to places, as I write this list.

And I don’t want to overlook the people who did the scans and x-rays, taught me how to walk – twice! – cooked and brought me food, cleaned the wards, did the laundry and 100s of jobs I didn’t see. One way for me to look at this is to see my well-being and survival resting on the work of 100s of people, many of whom were born in other countries. Of course, in their careers they have looked after 1000s of other people, but through my telescope thinking of them, they are for a moment just looking after me!

And it seems almost miraculous that people who started out life many, many miles away from me could have arrived next to my hospital bed and done all that care, skill and attention which has enabled me to carry on.

Gratitude doesn’t really express how I feel about this. It feels much more than saying thank you to someone for doing a kind thing. It was this but it also involves application of knowledge with a devotion that goes beyond that.

I can’t bear to think that there have been times when people in this huge army of workers have felt under-valued or under-appreciated. I for one know that all NHS workers make huge sacrifices to do this work. It can take a heavy toll on personal and social life.

Right now, in this tribute, I’m also thinking of the kinds of sacrifice that people born overseas make too. Leaving home, with all its tugs of family, friends, familiar places, familiar foods can be a hard struggle. I know that look on people’s faces when they remember loved ones, loved places ‘back there’.So – in four huge words – a huge thank you! “

Michael Rosen

From Days of the Year:

The National Health Service in the UK is a critical part of the nation, but it becomes even more so during difficult times–such as a pandemic. 

In the midst of this global health crisis, the NHS has been relying on a large number of workers who are from overseas to keep the organization running and able to take care of the people who need it. These overseas workers are vital to its mission and running. 

That’s why Overseas NHS Workers Day was created, and why these people deserve to be celebrated! 

History of Overseas NHS Workers Day 

Founded by The Doctors’ Association UK, Overseas NHS Workers Day was created to take the opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contribution made in the fight against COVID-19 by those who have migrated to the United Kingdom. 

Fulfilling all kinds of different roles within the National Health Service, almost 200 different nationalities are represented within the NHS in England alone. This includes nationalities such as Indian, Filipino, Irish and many others that make up almost 14% of NHS staff. 

Even with this extra help from those overseas, the NHS still does not have enough staff to meet the need, which puts an extra strain on those in the trenches. Plus, living and serving in a foreign country can be difficult, considering the additional stress of visa issues, red tape, and missing out on life with family and friends at home. 

With this in mind, The Doctors’ Association UK wanted to put forth an extra effort to recognize and thank those overseas workers serving the healthcare community. Overseas NHS Workers Day is just the day to do it! 

How to Celebrate Overseas NHS Workers Day  

Taking some time to thank an overseas NHS worker in whatever way possible is the essence of this important day. Consider these ideas for making Overseas NHS Workers Day a special one:

Wear Green and Blue 

NHS trusts are encouraging staff (and any others who want to join in!) to dress on this day in green and blue–the colors of the globe. For NHS workers, this might mean wearing blue scrubs with a green lanyard, mask, bandana or armband. For non-medical workers, you can still show your appreciation by dressing in green and blue and sharing your reason why with a friend! 

Show Your Appreciation 

Whether a friend, neighbor, or someone who works at the primary care office, take a moment to thank a foreign NHS worker for their service. Write them a thank you card, send a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates, bake them a cake, or simply send a text to let them know that they are thought of with affection and appreciated! 

One Minute of Silence 

On a more solemn note, organizations and offices are also encouraged to observe one minute of silence during the day, in honor and memory of all of those NHS workers who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

Not from the UK?

That’s fine! While Overseas NHS Workers Day is of course centred around the United Kingdom health service, its core message rings true wherever you are in the world. 

Key Info

Dates Every March 5th

Hashtag#OverseasNHSWorkersDay

Founded in 2021

Founded by Doctors’ Association UK

The pandemic has demonstrated how vital the contribution of international staff is for the NHS. 1 in 7 healthcare workers is from overseas. They have carried out their jobs in extremely difficult conditions, risking their lives during this crisis despite being on temporary visas. The government made a promise that bereaved families would get permanent residency status if these workers were to die due to COVID-19. Such a bereavement scheme is hurtful for the overseas workers who have fought so bravely. These workers bring highly specialised and sought after experience in addition to contributing to our economy through their taxes, investment in property etc.Currently indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is granted to the families of healthcare workers if they die. This sends a message that these heroic people only deserve recognition in the event of their dying in service, which is simply not in keeping the British Values of Fairness. These heroes deserve the right to call the UK their home and should not have to die to have this recognised. The French have granted citizenship to key workers – the UK cannot be seen to lag behind! On 5th March 2021 we are set to celebrate NHS Overseas Workers to recognise the efforts of ALL our international staff –  which is not limited to doctors and nurses but includes huge numbers of vital clinical, laboratory, clerical and estates staff. We invite Sunday Times readers to join us in acknowledging this extraordinary group of people.

Dr Pushpo Hossain, Doctors’ Association UK

As featured in The Sunday Times

Find out more about Overseas NHS Workers Day and how you can get involved here

Scroll down for Press Resources for the Day

Overseas NHS Workers Day on Friday 5^th March is a recognition of the extraordinary contribution that people who have migrated to the UK have made in the fight against COVID-19.  The Doctors’ Association UK, with support from UNISON, The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Royal College of Physicians, British International Doctors Association, Egyptian Doctors Together and the NHS Arab Doctors in the UK support group.

“DAUK is proud to lead an initiative to celebrate the diversity, companionship and strength our international staff bring to the NHS by observing the first ever ‘Overseas NHS Workers Day’” said organiser Dr Pushpo Hossain. 

“We want to applaud the contribution of our overseas colleagues during the pandemic and raise awareness of some of the issues they face as international staff.”

Sign this petition to offer Indefinite Leave to Remain to all NHS and social care workers

Resources for NHS Trusts and Journalists:

Our press release outlining the activities planned for the event can be downloaded here along with our posters, logos and letter to NHS trusts