The College will be launching a guide for doctors planning to work in the UK, and there is a specific session on how to improve support for International Medical Graduates in the NHS (G1, Saturday morning).
The growth is testament to the success of the College’s international membership strategy, with more than 3,000 members outside the UK, and its thriving Junior International Committee (JIC).
The RCGP has now agreed to create a third Vice Chair of Council with specific responsibility for membership, faculties and international work.
Honorary treasurer of the College Dr Steve Mowle was the senior adviser on the establishment of the committee.
‘The JIC is one of the best parts of the College, which has brought together a really amazing group of people who are incredibly active. International work is definitely at the top of our agenda and that’s underlined by the new Vice Chair post.’
Dr Mowle has worked as an international tutor as part of a College programme in South Africa for the past two years.
‘We have been training the trainers, and training the senior educators to manage their own trainers, to help them become self-sufficient and hopefully leave a lasting legacy.’
Dr Mowle will be chairing a session including speakers from Greece and the Netherlands, on the health needs of refugees (D2). He is a trustee and Vice Chair of the Citizens UK charity, which aims to promote involvement in civil society.
Their latest project helps refugees integrate with their host community: ‘The idea is that local people meet them at the airport and properly welcome them to their new home in the UK.’
A new feature of this year’s Annual Conference is the Cinema Social session, with a screening of the inspirational documentary Revolutionary Medicine and the story of how the Garifuna people of Honduras have built and run their own health centre (Thursday 16.00-17.00). Delegates can also test their skills in an international emergency scenario run by the Doctors Worldwide charity on Saturday morning.
